Oman Daily Observer :Dubai: Gulf Mercantile Exchange (GME) today announced the highest weekly trading volume in the history of the exchange, with more than 69052 contracts traded during the week of 11 May 2026, equivalent to 69 million barrels of Oman crude oil.

The milestone marks the strongest trading week recorded on the exchange in two decades. It underscores the growing importance of GME Oman Crude Oil Futures as a leading benchmark for Middle East crude pricing and risk management.

The record weekly activity comes amid heightened geopolitical developments, evolving trade flows, and increased volatility in global energy markets, highlighting market participants' continued reliance on transparent, physically connected benchmarks during periods of uncertainty.

“This reflects the market’s growing confidence in GME Oman as a trusted benchmark and risk management tool for global energy participants,” said Raid al Salami, Managing Director, GME.

Al-Salami added: “In times of geopolitical uncertainty and rapidly changing market conditions, transparent and physically deliverable benchmarks become increasingly important. The strong participation and record trading activity seen this week demonstrate the continued relevance, resilience, and strategic importance of GME Oman within the global crude oil ecosystem.”

Since its inception, GME has traded more than 23 billion barrels of Oman crude oil and facilitated the physical delivery of more than 3 billion barrels, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading crude oil futures exchanges and a key pricing reference for Middle East crude exports to Asia.

As global commodity markets continue to evolve, GME remains focused on enhancing market transparency, strengthening regional benchmark development, and expanding its role as a broader multi-commodity marketplace serving energy and industrial sectors.