Seafarers' Day marked with focus on maritime growth and reforms
Held under the patronage of H E Dr Said bin Mohammed al Saqri, Minister of Economy, the event was organised by Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT).
Speaking at the ceremony, H E Khamis bin Mohammed al Shamakhi, Undersecretary for Transport, said Oman's ports continue to serve as strategic trade gateways along the nation's coastline. 'Our logistics infrastructure remains resilient despite regional challenges.'
H E Shamakhi added that over 1,000 Omani seafarers are currently employed across national ferries, commercial ships and fishing vessels, with many in leadership roles. The logistics sector contributes more than 6% of Oman's GDP, driven largely by maritime operations.
Mazen bin Hamad al Rashidi, Director of Maritime Transport at MTCIT, said the ministry has recently introduced a series of reforms including updates to the Maritime Law, which now features investor-friendly provisions aligned with Oman Vision 2040. These reforms are compliant with international maritime conventions.
Oman has signed 16 mutual recognition agreements for seafarer certificates and ten cooperation agreements with international classification societies. It has also joined the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities further cementing its global maritime ties.
According to Rashidi, over 95% of seafarer-related services are now offered digitally, allowing faster certification processes and improved verification. MTCIT issued 188 seafarer certificates, 315 maritime activity licences and processed 950 services through ship registration offices in Q1 2025. As part of inspection and compliance efforts, 74 foreign ships were checked at Omani ports during the same period. The ministry also issued more than 100 navigation permits for vessels operating in domestic waters.
To protect workers' rights, a new grievance mechanism has been introduced for seafarers. In a regional first, Oman has launched a bunkering service using ma- ss flow meters to improve transparency in marine fuel supply.
The celebration highlighted Oman's broader strategy to develop local talent, attract international investment, and position the sultanate as a competitive hub in maritime trade and logistics.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
2 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Creative industries seen as bridge between Oman's past and future
Muscat – Creative and cultural industries are emerging as a key driver of Oman's economic diversification, with potential to link heritage with innovation and support the goals of Oman Vision 2040. Dr Salim bin Mohammed al Hinai, Assistant Professor at the College of Arts and Sciences, University of Nizwa, while giving a background, underlined that creative industries encompass sectors that 'rely on innovation and individual talent, and contribute to transforming ideas into products and services with an economic dimension'. These range from traditional crafts and fine arts to literature, publishing, music, cinema, design and digital media. Dr Salim bin Mohammed al Hinai 'I have witnessed significant development in the Omani dagger industry, silver jewellery and traditional weaving, particularly in the wilayats of Nizwa and Suhar,' Dr Hinai said. 'There is also strong growth in graphic design, digital content production and the Omani film industry, as well as cultural events like the Muscat International Book Fair and Muscat International Film Festival. This sector supports Omani identity and the local economy.' He added that the sector creates jobs in design, crafts and digital content while linking heritage with modern products to enhance cultural tourism. 'It offers high added value at relatively low investment costs and opens the door to global partnerships that showcase Omani culture.' For Badriya bint Mohammed al Fouriya, Director of the Entrepreneurship Department at the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Riyada), the creative sector is also a platform for entrepreneurship. 'Riyada works to empower owners of creative ideas through training, technical guidance, incubation programmes and financing facilities,' she said. 'We also partner with cultural, educational and community institutions to invest in Omani intellectual heritage and produce renewed cultural content.' She stressed that the sector can increase competitiveness, generate income and create jobs if supported by the right legislative framework and skilled national talent. Murtadha bin Abdul Khaliq al Lawati, Director General of the Place and People Museum, underlined the cultural value of traditional crafts. 'Omani traditional industries go beyond function to become visual and cultural expressions of identity,' he said, adding that they have gained international admiration for their craftsmanship. While welcoming innovation, he warned against altering heritage products in ways that compromise authenticity. 'Industries linked to heritage symbols, such as the Omani dagger, should be preserved in their original form,' he said. In Nizwa, entrepreneur Khalid bin Sulaiman Ambusaidi's 'Nuzul al Manazel' project restores heritage houses using traditional materials and designs. 'We kept the original structure intact, highlighting the moral and cultural value of the place,' he said. 'Such projects promote Oman abroad as a country that values and protects its heritage.' Ambusaidi believes the creative sector can thrive if restoration specialists highlight the stories behind heritage sites and use modern technologies for documentation and promotion. 'Creative industries can connect past and present, strengthen cultural identity, and turn heritage into a sustainable cultural and economic resource,' he said.
Observer
4 hours ago
- Observer
Olive sector grows to 20,000 trees, 83 tonnes in annual yield
MUSCAT: Across the mountains, particularly in Al Jabal Al Akhdhar and the Western Hajar range, olive trees thrive in a revitalised agricultural landscape that reflects the nation's ambitious vision for food security and diversified income. The journey began in the 1990s with the introduction of 10,000 saplings from various cultivars. Some varieties quickly adapted to local conditions, laying the groundwork for olive farming as a promising sector. Today, success is not only in cultivation but also in production. In 2022, Oman produced over 83 tonnes of olives and 10,000 litres of olive oil. Yet, demand far outstrips supply, with more than 24,000 tonnes of olives imported between 2020 and 2022 — underscoring the need to boost local output. Prof Rashid bin Abdullah al Yahyai Government bodies and institutions have supported farmers through free sapling distribution, training programmes and modern olive mills, increasing the number of trees to 20,000. Omani olive oil is now gaining regional and international recognition for its high quality and distinctive flavour. Sustainable growth, however, demands overcoming challenges — a mission championed by Prof Rashid bin Abdullah al Yahyai of the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences. His project identifies optimal cultivation areas based on climate and water resources, introduces high-yielding varieties, and promotes best practices in pruning, irrigation and fertilisation. Innovation is also driving the sector forward. By-products such as olive leaves and pomace, often discarded, are being explored for transformation into value-added nutritional and functional products. Research aims to enhance processing efficiency and create sustainable economic solutions for operational hurdles. These efforts form a clear road map — not just towards self-sufficiency, but towards positioning Oman as a significant player in the regional olive market. In doing so, Oman enhances food security and bolsters its economy by fostering an innovative and sustainable agricultural sector.
Observer
4 hours ago
- Observer
‘Ejada Week' kicks off in Salalah
SALALAH: The 'Ejada Week' officially began on Monday in the Wilayat of Salalah, organised by Dhofar Municipality in partnership with the Dhofar Governor's Office and the Ministry of Labour. The event runs until August 14, featuring participation from more than 15 government agencies and three private sector entities. Held under the theme 'Partnership in Performance and Excellence in Results', the programme highlights efforts to develop and enhance the Ejada system, share successful experiences and showcase best practices. It aims to foster a culture of quality and excellence, improve the efficiency of national talent and support the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. Dr Ahmed bin Mohsin al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, described 'Ejada Week' as a platform for strengthening public-private partnerships, exchanging expertise, and encouraging innovation and continuous improvement in individual and institutional performance. Mohammed bin Mubarak al Kalbani, Director-General of the General Directorate of Development and Quality Assurance at the Ministry of Labour, said the activities are designed to develop methodologies and processes for implementing the 'Ejada' system, which will enhance institutional competitiveness over the long term. The week's agenda includes specialised workshops, panel discussions and interactive presentations. Monday's sessions focused on 'The Ejada System for Measuring Individual Performance' and 'The Institutional Excellence System' with its related indicators. - ONA
