Oman unveils master plan for tourism port

MUSCAT, Oman – In response to the directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to convert Sultan Qaboos Port into a tourist port, Dr Ahmed bin Salim Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, announced Sunday, the approval of the master plan for the development of the port for tourism and for the establishment of a specialised company that will act as a developer for the project.

The master plan includes retaining a commercial terminal that will be dedicated to export and import services of certain goods and for emergencies.

He said in a statement to ONA that the new layout includes eight main areas for tourism and services activities at the port. The main area will host the marine façade of the port, and the marinas for yachts, cruise ships, and boats. The existing terminals will be revamped for this purpose.

He pointed out that the new plan includes building of new terminals for third-generation cruise ships and passengers, and for shops and multi-purpose buildings designed to reflect Oman’s marine heritage and history. The new layout includes hotels, yards, aisles, and recreational centres.

He further added that the master plan includes the revamping of the current terminal and the construction of new terminals to simultaneously receive three cruise ships, each accommodating 11,000 passengers. Floating docks that accommodate 150 boats and yachts are also part of the master plan.

“The master plan includes a yacht club, service centres, and marinas. The middle section of the terminal will be rehabilitated to serve as a marina for yachts and ferry boats and to receive wood ships, boats, and traditional and tourism boats. This includes a dock to receive the Shabab Oman vessel at the marine façade,” he added.

He further said, “Also a part of the new layout are a tourist hotel complex built according to the world class standards; commercial markets that reflect Oman’s style of architecture; a centre for recreational activities; restaurants and coffee shops; a marine life exhibition centre; and multi-storey car parks.”

“The Royal Yacht Docks will also be rehabilitated, with the addition of new floating docks for yachts and marine fixed docks to absorb the existing and expected commercial fishing boats. Floating docks that accommodate more than 60 boats will also be built to handle and receive fish from the traditional fishing boats,” said Al Futaisi.

The minister said that the reclaiming of a commercial service dock was done for the purpose of importing cereals. The dock may be used in emergencies to export general cargo. The master plan includes the development of the coastal areas near the port and the western façade to connect it to a network of pedestrian paths that will be constructed on the marine façade from Bahari road till Riyam Park.

Al Futaisi said that based on the importance accorded by the Sultanate’s government to the port development projects, the recommendations included establishing a specialised company that operates as a developer for the port. This company may implement potential ventures with developers and third parties to invest in commercial and infrastructure projects.

“Negotiations are on with experienced international companies in the field of tourism projects development at world tourism ports to strike a strategic partnership with one of them,” he added.

Al Futaisi hoped that a strategic partner could be selected before the design was detailed and tender documents were prepared, so that the Ministry’s team alongside with teams from the Ministry of Tourism and other respective governmental agencies could supervise the proposed projects at the tourism port layout.

He applauded the existing co-operation between the public and private sector establishments who worked side-by-side with the Ministry’s teams through various workshops and meetings. They presented their remarks and opinions about the study from the beginning till final approval of the master plan for the first tourism port in the Sultanate.

Al Futaisi confirmed that the Ministry is currently selecting a developer company and is preparing tenders for the third stage of detailed studies and inspections. He hoped that the development programmes could be completed early in 2014.

“A specialised consultant is currently conducting a study on transferring commercial activities including container and general cargo handling to Sohar Port. The last date for receiving the container and general cargo terminal at Sultan Qaboos Port will be announced later on.