Latest news with #AsyadPorts
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Tender for upgrade of Port Sultan Qaboos
Oman's Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has kick-started the process of upgrading Port Sultan Qaboos to support its transformation into a national hub for cruise tourism. Under a tender floated recently by the ministry, consultancy firms with expertise in port and maritime engineering have been invited to bid for a contract to provide advisory services on the construction of a new breakwater and additional berth, as well as to oversee significant reclamation works at Muscat's roughly 50-year-old maritime hub. In addition to developing a concept master plan encompassing all aspects of the port's proposed upgrade, the selected consultant will also be invited to identify, as an option, investment opportunities arising from this expansion. Given the cruise tourism-centred focus of the upgrade, these opportunities are expected to be linked to food and beverage outlets, hospitality, high-end retail, arts and crafts, and related sectors, say experts. Last October, the ministry tasked Asyad Ports — a subsidiary of Asyad Group — with undertaking a feasibility study into the upgrade of Port Sultan Qaboos. The study also covers the operational and commercial aspects of the project, aimed at supporting its development into a major cruise tourism hub. Opportunities for strategic partnerships with investors to help deliver this vision were to be fully explored as well. Officials announced at the time that the modernisation plan would be implemented in three phases. The initial phase will focus on rehabilitating the port's existing infrastructure. The second phase will involve upgrading equipment and operational systems. In the final phase, a new berth will be constructed to accommodate larger cruise vessels, enhancing the port's capacity to meet rising tourism demand. According to cruise shipping experts, a berth length of at least 370 metres will be required to handle some of the largest cruise ships in operation today. Icon of the Seas, currently the largest cruise ship by gross tonnage and passenger capacity, measures 365 metres in length. Other mega cruise ships in its class include the Wonder of the Seas (362 metres), Symphony of the Seas (361 metres), and Harmony of the Seas (362 metres). By comparison, the largest cruise ship to have visited Muscat to date is the AIDAcosma (337 metres), which made its maiden call in November 2022. In line with Muscat's positioning as a cruise tourism hub, the modernisation will also aim to attract leisure and recreational vessels, including superyachts, catamarans and sailships, to Oman. Investment opportunities related to this segment of the maritime tourism sector will be explored as well. Port Sultan Qaboos, which has undergone multiple upgrades over its 50-year history, currently features nine berths with a combined length of 1,750 metres. A passenger terminal is presently being modernised to align with the goals of the port's broader expansion. In 2024, Port Sultan Qaboos welcomed a record 190 cruise ship calls, surpassing its target of 134 vessels for the year. The deadline for submission of offers for the consultancy services contract is July 24, 2025. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
2 days ago
- Business
- Observer
Tender for upgrade of Port Sultan Qaboos
MUSCAT, JUNE 15 Oman's Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has kick-started the process of upgrading Port Sultan Qaboos to support its transformation into a national hub for cruise tourism. Under a tender floated recently by the ministry, consultancy firms with expertise in port and maritime engineering have been invited to bid for a contract to provide advisory services on the construction of a new breakwater and additional berth, as well as to oversee significant reclamation works at Muscat's roughly 50-year-old maritime hub. In addition to developing a concept master plan encompassing all aspects of the port's proposed upgrade, the selected consultant will also be invited to identify, as an option, investment opportunities arising from this expansion. Given the cruise tourism-centred focus of the upgrade, these opportunities are expected to be linked to food and beverage outlets, hospitality, high-end retail, arts and crafts, and related sectors, say experts. Last October, the ministry tasked Asyad Ports — a subsidiary of Asyad Group — with undertaking a feasibility study into the upgrade of Port Sultan Qaboos. The study also covers the operational and commercial aspects of the project, aimed at supporting its development into a major cruise tourism hub. Opportunities for strategic partnerships with investors to help deliver this vision were to be fully explored as well. Officials announced at the time that the modernisation plan would be implemented in three phases. The initial phase will focus on rehabilitating the port's existing infrastructure. The second phase will involve upgrading equipment and operational systems. In the final phase, a new berth will be constructed to accommodate larger cruise vessels, enhancing the port's capacity to meet rising tourism demand. According to cruise shipping experts, a berth length of at least 370 metres will be required to handle some of the largest cruise ships in operation today. Icon of the Seas, currently the largest cruise ship by gross tonnage and passenger capacity, measures 365 metres in length. Other mega cruise ships in its class include the Wonder of the Seas (362 metres), Symphony of the Seas (361 metres), and Harmony of the Seas (362 metres). By comparison, the largest cruise ship to have visited Muscat to date is the AIDAcosma (337 metres), which made its maiden call in November 2022. In line with Muscat's positioning as a cruise tourism hub, the modernisation will also aim to attract leisure and recreational vessels, including superyachts, catamarans and sailships, to Oman. Investment opportunities related to this segment of the maritime tourism sector will be explored as well. Port Sultan Qaboos, which has undergone multiple upgrades over its 50-year history, currently features nine berths with a combined length of 1,750 metres. A passenger terminal is presently being modernised to align with the goals of the port's broader expansion. In 2024, Port Sultan Qaboos welcomed a record 190 cruise ship calls, surpassing its target of 134 vessels for the year. The deadline for submission of offers for the consultancy services contract is July 24, 2025.
Zawya
24-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Cargo volumes at Omani ports grow 15% to 137mn tonnes in 2024
Muscat: Seaports dominate Oman's trade volume, accounting for approximately RO16.5bn worth of goods traded, or 77% of total trade in 2024, covering both exports and imports. In a statement to Oman News Agency, Muhanna bin Moosa bin Baqer, Director General of Ports at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said that Omani ports play a crucial role in facilitating trade between Oman and countries worldwide. He emphasised that the sultanate's ports are among the most significant enablers of economic diversification. He highlighted that Omani ports have kept pace with regional and global economic growth due to their strategic location on key international shipping routes. Baqer noted that Omani ports witnessed a significant rise in cargo volumes last year, handling more than 137mn tonnes – a 15% increase compared to 119mn tonnes in 2023. He pointed out that bulk cargo volumes at Sohar Port surged by 72%, while cargo handled at both Salalah and Suwaiq Ports increased by 10% each. The Port of Duqm achieved a remarkable 152% rise in cargo handling across all categories – general, liquid, and bulk – reflecting improvements in operations and growing demand for integrated port services. He further explained that Omani ports recorded an increase in vessel arrivals in 2024, exceeding 12,000 ships, a 1.5% rise. Container throughput at Salalah and Sohar ports reached approximately 4.2mn TEUs, with Salalah Port handling around 3.3mn TEUs and Sohar Port processing over 942,000 TEUs. On the development of cruise tourism, Baqer stated that Sultan Qaboos, Khasab, and Salalah ports received approximately 114 cruise ships carrying over 416,000 tourists in 2024. Additionally, these ports handled more than 4mn heads of livestock. Regarding port expansion and service upgrades, he explained that the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology signed a concession agreement last year with Asyad Ports to develop, manage, and operate Suwaiq Port. The agreement aims to enhance the port's capacity to accommodate larger vessels and handle all types of cargo to meet growing demand. The expansion of the container terminal at Salalah Port has also been completed, increasing its capacity to 6.5mn TEUs. The project involved upgrading berths and expanding storage yards to accommodate larger container ships, exceeding 366 metres in length and carrying more than 14,500 containers, ensuring higher productivity and faster clearance. Baqer confirmed that the ministry's signing of a framework agreement to invest in the operation, management, and development of marine services and crew changes at Sultan Qaboos Port will enhance commercial activity at this key port, in addition to its primary role as a tourism hub. He noted that these commercial advantages will position the port as an attractive destination for both commercial and cruise vessels, especially as it undergoes rapid development in collaboration with the Asyad and Omran groups. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Muscat Daily
22-03-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Cargo volumes at Omani ports grow 15% to 137mn tonnes in 2024
Muscat – Seaports dominate Oman's trade volume, accounting for approximately RO16.5bn worth of goods traded, or 77% of total trade in 2024, covering both exports and imports. In a statement to Oman News Agency, Muhanna bin Moosa bin Baqer, Director General of Ports at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said that Omani ports play a crucial role in facilitating trade between Oman and countries worldwide. He emphasised that the sultanate's ports are among the most significant enablers of economic diversification. He highlighted that Omani ports have kept pace with regional and global economic growth due to their strategic location on key international shipping routes. Baqer noted that Omani ports witnessed a significant rise in cargo volumes last year, handling more than 137mn tonnes – a 15% increase compared to 119mn tonnes in 2023. He pointed out that bulk cargo volumes at Sohar Port surged by 72%, while cargo handled at both Salalah and Suwaiq Ports increased by 10% each. The Port of Duqm achieved a remarkable 152% rise in cargo handling across all categories – general, liquid, and bulk – reflecting improvements in operations and growing demand for integrated port services. He further explained that Omani ports recorded an increase in vessel arrivals in 2024, exceeding 12,000 ships, a 1.5% rise. Container throughput at Salalah and Sohar ports reached approximately 4.2mn TEUs, with Salalah Port handling around 3.3mn TEUs and Sohar Port processing over 942,000 TEUs. On the development of cruise tourism, Baqer stated that Sultan Qaboos, Khasab, and Salalah ports received approximately 114 cruise ships carrying over 416,000 tourists in 2024. Additionally, these ports handled more than 4mn heads of livestock. Regarding port expansion and service upgrades, he explained that the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology signed a concession agreement last year with Asyad Ports to develop, manage, and operate Suwaiq Port. The agreement aims to enhance the port's capacity to accommodate larger vessels and handle all types of cargo to meet growing demand. The expansion of the container terminal at Salalah Port has also been completed, increasing its capacity to 6.5mn TEUs. The project involved upgrading berths and expanding storage yards to accommodate larger container ships, exceeding 366 metres in length and carrying more than 14,500 containers, ensuring higher productivity and faster clearance. Baqer confirmed that the ministry's signing of a framework agreement to invest in the operation, management, and development of marine services and crew changes at Sultan Qaboos Port will enhance commercial activity at this key port, in addition to its primary role as a tourism hub. He noted that these commercial advantages will position the port as an attractive destination for both commercial and cruise vessels, especially as it undergoes rapid development in collaboration with the Asyad and Omran groups.
