Costa Smeralda's trip reinforces Oman as global cruise destination
Khimji Ramdas Shipping, an Oman-based integrated shipping and logistics provider, has facilitated the maiden season of Costa Smeralda, bolstering its position as a key player in the region's cruise industry, reported Times of Oman.
The vessel, a flagship of the Costa fleet, made its first visit to Oman on December 19, 2024, after circumnavigating Africa from the Mediterranean before commencing its scheduled operations in the Arabian Gulf.
Throughout the season, Costa Smeralda operated one-week round-trip cruises from Dubai, with scheduled stops in Muscat (Oman), Doha (Qatar), and Abu Dhabi (UAE).
On March 3, 2025, the vessel departed from Muscat, embarking on a 37-day voyage back to the Mediterranean. En-route to its final destination in Genoa, Italy, scheduled for April 7, 2025, the ship will make calls in Mauritius, South Africa, Namibia, the Canary Islands, Morocco, Spain, and France (Corsica).
KR Shipping played an instrumental role in managing the ship's operations, ensuring efficient port services and smooth logistical support for each call at Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat.
Malvika Khimji, Director of Khimji Ramdas, remarked: 'The successful conclusion of Costa Smeralda's maiden season in Oman reinforces the Sultanate's growing appeal as a global cruise tourism destination. As Oman's cruise industry continues to expand, Khimji Ramdas Shipping remains committed to contributing to its diversification. Our well-trained national staff managed Costa Smeralda's port call, ensuring a seamless experience for the passengers aboard. We are honoured to have handled the port operations for this prestigious vessel during its scheduled calls to Muscat.'
Costa Smeralda is the largest ship ever commissioned by Costa Crociere and a true celebration of Italian design, culture, and craftsmanship. As part of the Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise group, the ship has set new standards in maritime innovation.
Built in 2019 by shipbuilder Meyer Turku in Finland, Costa Smeralda is the first LNG-powered cruise ship in the Costa Cruises fleet, underscoring the company's commitment to sustainable cruising.
With a capacity for approximately 6,600 passengers and 1,678 crew members, the ship spans 323.6 metres in length and 37.2 metres in width.
It offers 1,550 cabins, a variety of entertainment events, two swimming pools, a health club, and 11 diverse restaurants, ensuring a luxurious and immersive experience for its guests.
As a leading integrated shipping and multimodal logistics service provider in Oman, KR Shipping played a vital role in facilitating Costa Smeralda's operations during its visit and 11 subsequent calls to Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat.
The company's expertise and seamless execution have positioned it as a key contributor to Oman's cruise industry growth, handling 35 of the 66 cruise ships in the 2024/25 season - over 50% of the total cruise traffic in Muscat.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
10 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
EU removes UAE from ‘high-risk' money-laundering list, adds Monaco
The EU yesterday announced the removal of the United Arab Emirates from its money-laundering 'high-risk' list but added Monaco alongside nine other jurisdictions. The European Commission said it added Algeria, Angola, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Namibia, Nepal and Venezuela, along with Monaco, to the list of countries subject to extra monitoring of their money laundering controls. In addition to the UAE, it removed Barbados, Gibraltar, Jamaica, Panama, the Philippines, Senegal and Uganda. The moves come after a money-laundering watchdog said in February it had removed the Philippines from its list of countries that face increased monitoring, while adding Laos and Nepal. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a Paris-based organisation that reviews efforts by more than 200 countries and jurisdictions to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing, compiles a 'grey list' of nations that are subject to increased monitoring of financial transactions. Monaco has been included on the FATF list since mid-2024, along with EU member states Bulgaria and Croatia. 'The commission has now presented an update to the EU list which reiterates our strong commitment to aligning with international standards, particularly those set by the FATF,' the EU's commissioner for financial services, Maria Luis Albuquerque, said. The EU list will now be scrutinised by the European Parliament and member states and will enter into force within one month if there are no objections, the commission said. In a statement, Monaco's government said it had 'taken note of this expected update, which would lead to Monaco being placed on the EU's list, unless the European Parliament or the Council of the EU decides otherwise'. It also stressed its commitment to take the necessary steps to be removed from the FATF's grey list 'in the short term'.
Gulf Insider
17 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
NATO Chief Urges 400% Rise in Europe's Air Defense
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday urged the European allies to make a 'quantum leap' in military spending to deter Russia, which affirms Trump's own longtime message, as the NATO chief called for a whopping 400% increase in the Continent's air and missile defense budget. 'The fact is, we need a quantum leap in our collective defense,' Rutte said before an audience of the London-based think tank Chatham House. 'The fact is, we must have more forces and capabilities to implement our defense plans in full. The fact is, danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends.' The comments came days after he stated provocatively that Europe must invest heavily in defense now, or learn Russian later. 'If we don't act now, the next three years, we are fine, but we have to start now, because otherwise, from three, four or five years from now, we are really under threat,' he had said. 'I really mean this. Then you have to get your Russian language course out, or go to New Zealand.' NBC reviews that all of this is happening just ahead of a key NATO meeting later in June: Trump's call for NATO allies to up their minimum defense spending from 2% to 5% of GDP was once seen as outlandish; but last month Rutte too backed this idea and said he expected it to be adopted at NATO's June 24-25 summit. On Monday he made a similarly ambitious call. He asked for a '400% increase in air and missile defense' and added that 'militaries also need thousands more armored vehicles and tanks, millions more artillery shells, and we must double our enabling capabilities, such as logistics, supply, transportation, and medical support.' Canada is already seeking to demonstrate to Washington and NATO that it is taking significant strides to meet the challenge: Canada, under pressure to spend more on its military, vowed on Monday to boost funding for the armed forces and hit NATO's 2% military spending target this fiscal year, five years earlier than promised. Prime Minister Mark Carney also said Canada was likely in future to devote a greater percentage of GDP on defense, given the need to replace outdated equipment and reduce its heavy reliance on Washington. Canada just committed $60 billion in defense spending to meet NATO's 2% of GDP based on an estimated $3 trillion GDP for jets, vehicles, drones, and Arctic surveillance are coming — but how will we afford it with rising debt and a slowing economy? — Marc Nixon (@MarcNixon24) June 9, 2025 NATO defense ministers are further expected to soon formalize the following increase in spending policies: They've agreed that 3.5% of GDP would be used for 'core defence spending' – such as heavy weapons, tanks, air defence. 1.5% of GDP per year will be spent on defense- and security-related areas such as infrastructure, surveillance, and cyber . However, the full list of flexibility has not yet been negotiated. 'These targets describe exactly what capabilities Allies need to invest in over the coming years,' Rutte told journalists. Washington could step back from Ukraine support… If #NATO allies fail to meet the defense spending target, the #US could scale back support for #Ukraine, says @TalaMichelIssa, Chief Business Reporter. #WNewsExtra — Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) June 9, 2025 Click here to read more Also read: Lavrov Praises Trump for Saying NATO Led To Ukraine Invasion
Gulf Insider
2 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Dubai's Ultra-Luxury Property Market Hits New Heights
Dubai's luxury real estate market continues to defy global trends, with Driven | Forbes Global Properties completing the sale of the final two penthouses at the Bulgari Lighthouse for a combined total exceeding AED282m ($77m). The deals reinforce the emirate's status as one of the world's most resilient and in-demand ultra-prime residential destinations. The first penthouse, a five-bedroom residence spanning 11,657 sq ft, was sold for AED146.6m ($40m), while the second fetched AED136.25m ($38m) —both among the highest-value apartment sales recorded in Dubai this year. Designed by acclaimed Italian architects Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel, the Bulgari Lighthouse is located on Jumeirah Bay Island. The tower features a coral-like façade, panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf and Downtown Dubai, and interiors finished with Italian marble, hand-laid silk panelling, and warm oak accents. Each residence includes private infinity pools, double-height salons, and expansive terraces, merging resort-style luxury with urban privacy. Every detail is curated in partnership with the adjacent Bulgari Resort Dubai, offering owners hotel-level services—from private chefs and curated events, to concierge-managed experiences. The landmark sales were brokered by Lina Allaoa and Kianoush Darban, founders of The Private Collection at. Known for consistently setting area records—including the highest price per square foot and most expensive villa sale on the island—the duo has become synonymous with Dubai's high-end property elite. Lina Allaoa said: 'Dubai offers our international clients two things they value most: a secure place to allocate their capital and an unbeatable way of life. Bulgari Lighthouse unites those advantages in a single address, blending sound investment with everyday opulence'. Kianoush Darban added: 'Scarcity drives value. With fewer than 40 residences in the tower, and amenities that rival a private resort, Lighthouse is arguably the most coveted address in Dubai.' Their success is emblematic of the wider market. The emirate recorded AED62.4bn ($17bn) in real estate transactions in April 2025, a staggering 95 per cent increase year-on-year, driven largely by demand for trophy waterfront homes and limited-edition inventory. Analysts expect this ultra-prime momentum to continue into 2026 as supply remains tight and international capital continues to flow. Also read: Dubai Metro Blue Line To Have World's Highest Metro Station
