The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology Celebrates World Seafarers Day, Believing the Maritime Sector is One of the Most Promising Sectors Within the Logistics System
The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, celebrated World Seafarers Day at the Grand Millennium Hotel. The event was held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Nasser Al Zaabi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defence, and attended by His Excellency Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.
This annual celebration is a recognition by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology of Oman’s active maritime history and the vital role of seafarers in this sector. It underscores the ministry’s belief in the crucial and vital role of maritime affairs, enhances its economic role, boosts its contribution to the GDP, and ensures the continuity of employment.
Captain Majid bin Saif bin Mohammed Al Barahi, Director General of Maritime Affairs at the Ministry, stated that the Sultanate of Oman, through the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, pays great attention to seafarers' affairs. The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs aims to organize, develop, and monitor the maritime transport sector, enhance maritime safety and security levels, and contribute to the protection of the marine environment on Omani ships and in the Omani territorial waters by enacting local legislation and implementing relevant international agreements. The ministry also places great emphasis on developing the competencies of seafarers by enacting necessary legislation and complying with international agreements issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) following the provisions of the Maritime Law and the Maritime Navigation Regulation Law in territorial waters.
He pointed out that the ministry has updated the Maritime Law, issued by Royal Decree No. (19/2023), which includes many investment-oriented provisions in line with Oman Vision 2040 and the developments in the maritime transport industry, ensuring alignment with international maritime conventions. Furthermore, Royal Decree No. (58/2023) was issued, approving Oman’s accession to the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), enhancing Oman’s presence in the international maritime community.
The Director General of Maritime Affairs added that an 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, the first of its kind in the Middle East. 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 bin Saif bin Mohammed 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.
The Director General of Maritime Affairs confirmed that the contribution of maritime transport to the total transport and storage sector’s contribution to the GDP is 11.78%, while the transport and storage sector’s overall contribution to the GDP is approximately 2.25 billion Omani Riyals.
The World Seafarers Day celebration featured a review of achievements in Oman’s maritime sector in collaboration with all related institutions, an accompanying exhibition of participating entities, dialogue sessions, discussions, presentations of specialized papers, and recognition of sponsoring entities and distinguished workers in the maritime sector.
Coinciding with Oman’s celebration of World Seafarers Day, 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.
World Seafarers Day, observed on June 25th each year, was established by the International Maritime Organization to ensure ongoing deep appreciation and gratitude for seafarers.