MUSCAT – The licenses were granted after the companies met all regulatory requirements for establishing and operating berths outside ports.
The initiative is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to regulate Oman’s ports and marine sector, enhance service quality, ensure maritime safety, and support the competitiveness of ports, logistics, tourism, commercial, and industrial sectors.
Laila bint Ali Al Batashiyah, Director of the Department of Maritime Ports and Docks, told the Oman News Agency that seven of the licenses were issued for tourist berths across Muscat, Dhofar, Musandam, and South Al Batinah, while five were granted for commercial berths in South Al Sharqiyah and Musandam.
She explained that the Ministry grants licenses in stages, beginning with conditional preliminary approval for one year to allow applicants to obtain necessary approvals from relevant authorities. After approvals and designs are completed, a construction license is issued, followed by a management and operation license, which is renewable annually. In 2026, five construction licenses were issued for marine piers in Taqah, Salalah, Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, Barka, and Duqm.
The management and operation licenses cover commercial berths in Sur and Khasab, with pier lengths ranging from 176 to 759 meters, and tourist berths in Muscat, Dibba, and Salalah, with pier lengths ranging from 250 to 2,286 meters.
Licensees are required to comply with maritime laws, insure the berth, adhere to security, safety, and environmental standards, prepare emergency and maintenance plans, report incidents immediately, and operate berths only for licensed personnel. Any expansion of berths requires prior approval, and ships may only dock after completing all regulatory permits.
The regulatory framework stresses that no marine berth can be established, managed, or operated without a license. Applicants must submit project plans, time schedules, and financing mechanisms, undergo site inspections, and obtain final approval from the Ministry before commencing operations.