Muscat – As part of the celebration of International Day of the Seafarer, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology launched an electronic service for renewing seafarers’ certificates, which includes renewing competency certificates, qualification certificates, recognition certificates, and seafarers’ identity documents.

Captain Majid bin Saif bin Mohammed Al Barahi, Director General of Maritime Affairs at the Ministry, explained that the electronic service for verifying the validity of seafarers’ certificates was launched as part of the ministry’s digital transformation efforts. This service enables maritime administrations and companies to verify the validity and authenticity of competency and qualification certificates held by seafarers seeking recognition of their certificates or employment on commercial vessels.
Additionally, a service for supplying ships with marine fuel using mass flow metering systems was inaugurated – this is the first of its kind in the Middle East.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister H.E. Eng. Said Hamoud Al Maawali pointed out that Oman had increase a steady increase in the number of registering vessels over the past years.

The Minister added that this sector attracts businesses and contributes to boosting the skills of Omani workers. Before the end of 2024, Al Maawali noted, there will be several decisions issued to encourage Omanis to work in this sector and to allocate some jobs for Omanis only.

The ministry, in partnership with relevant entities, is working to create employment opportunities in the maritime sector, having established training programs linked with employment in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and the Asyad Group, training and employing 230 graduates.

Captain Majid Al Barahi also highlighted the ministry’s external cooperation, having signed 8 maritime transport cooperation agreements and 10 agreements with international classification societies. The ministry conducts inspection and monitoring tasks on ships with a specialized team.

In 2023, 307 foreign ships were inspected at Omani ports, and the ministry issued 320 navigation permits for foreign ships to operate in Omani territorial waters. The total number of services provided by ship registration departments across the Sultanate reached 3872, while services for maritime activities saw the issuance of 934 maritime activity permits. Additionally, 11 mutual recognition agreements for seafarers’ certificates were signed, 734 seafarers’ certificates issued, and 628 tests conducted.
He noted that the total imports through maritime ports reached 37 billion tons; exports amounted to 59 billion tons, and re-exports exceeded 1 billion tons.

He further confirmed that the contribution of maritime transport to the total transport and storage sector’s contribution to the GDP is 11.78 percent, while the transport and storage sector’s overall contribution to the GDP is approximately RO 2.25 billion.

Meanwhile, during the exhibition held on the sidelines of the event, the Coast Guard Police showcased its role in maintaining maritime security and its latest rescue and search equipment.

It is worth noting that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) designated 25 June as an annual occasion to celebrate the Day of the Seafarer.

The local celebration was participated by entities related to maritime transport and security, such as Oman Royal Police (ROP), Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) and ASYAD Group.