Muscat: Out of 405 ports globally, the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the State of Qatar have earned a spot among the 35 countries with the largest global maritime fleets, based on weights and tonnage, as highlighted in the 2024 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report.

The GCC Statistical Centre revealed that the Gulf commercial fleet accounts for an impressive 54.2% of the total Arab fleet of commercial ships. In 2024, the number of major Gulf seaports surpassed 25, solidifying the region’s stature as a logistics powerhouse.

Gulf ports excelled in container throughput, boasting two large-production ports handling over 4 million containers annually and eight medium-production ports managing between 500,000 and 4 million containers. This efficiency reflects the substantial advancements in seaport infrastructure, transforming Gulf ports into key global logistics hubs.

The center also emphasized the vital strategic role of Gulf ports in international maritime navigation. The Unified Maritime Operations Center, a standout achievement of GCC collaboration, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding territorial waters, ensuring freedom of navigation, and bolstering security and stability across the region.