Shabab Oman II sets sail for 15-nation voyage

Observer

16-04-2025

MUSCAT: The Royal Navy of Oman organised a special visit on Wednesday for a group of media professionals from various print, audio, visual and digital outlets to its ship Shabab Oman II, docked at Sultan Qaboos Port in Muttrah.
This visit was held in celebration of the inclusion of the Shabab Oman programme for peace and sustainable cultural dialogue within the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) programmes, in recognition of its pioneering role in promoting cultural communication and mutual understanding among nations.
During the visit, Lt Col Issa bin Salim al Jahwari, Commander of Shabab Oman II, gave a comprehensive briefing on the ship's humanitarian and cultural mission, emphasising that it is more than just a training vessel. He described it as a complete platform for spreading values of love and peace; and enhancing Oman's presence in international forums.
Al Jahwari explained that Shabab Oman II is equipped with the latest navigation and communication systems, enabling it to perform its missions efficiently under various maritime conditions. He stated that work on board is structured around six main objectives, foremost among them supporting Oman Vision 2040, particularly the theme of 'People and Society.' The ship provides a practical training environment that differs significantly from traditional education, where trainees engage in daily tasks from early morning until late at night — enhancing their physical and mental abilities; and reducing digital isolation.
Al Jahwari noted that the ship has hosted training and academic programmes involving 26 students from 20 nationalities and five international universities, including Sultan Qaboos University and institutions from Canada, Croatia and Germany. The participants presented research on sustainability and marine sciences even though most of them were not from maritime disciplines — demonstrating the ship's role in broadening youth horizons and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
Shabab Oman II sets sail for 15-nation voyage
He further emphasised the ship's vital role in promoting Oman's tourism and culture through participation in European maritime festivals and events that attract hundreds of thousands of visitors. The crew switches from military uniform to traditional Omani dress during such events to enhance the country's cultural visibility. He cited a 2011 survey of German tourists, which showed that 40 per cent became familiar with Oman after the ship's participation in a maritime festival in Germany in 2010.
Al Jahwari highlighted the ship's mission to revive Oman's maritime heritage through training in traditional sailing methods using sails and celestial navigation — a practice nearly extinct in the Arab region. Shabab Oman II is among the few vessels that still employ this method of navigation.
The ship is preparing for its seventh international voyage, titled Glory of the Seas, which will span approximately six months, visiting 30 ports in 15 countries and covering nearly 18,000 nautical miles. The journey will include 84 Omani trainees in addition to the ship's crew and will feature participation in five international maritime races and festivals expected to attract around 3.5 million visitors.
Regarding achievements, Al Jahwari stated that Shabab Oman II has won the 'Friendship Trophy' four times out of 28 editions, outperforming even its predecessor Shabab Oman I, which won the trophy 11 times. In 2022, the ship claimed first place in one race and fourth in another both races conducted using sails only, with no motor assistance.
He concluded by noting that one of Shabab Oman II's most distinctive features is its 100% Omani crew, which operates the ship efficiently despite challenging European weather conditions, often facing strong maritime storms. The ship includes engineering and medical teams that work around the clock, making it a 'floating city' fully equipped with essential services.
Over the course of its previous voyages, the ship has welcomed more than 814,000 visitors from around the world, many of whom received souvenirs carrying Oman's noble message. These visits have also contributed to tourism by facilitating visa processes in several countries.
The visit aimed to introduce the ship's upcoming seventh international voyage, which includes a series of port visits and participations in various maritime events.