Shabab Oman II to visit Malta tomorrow

The 85-metre Shabab Oman II is to embark on an official, four-day visit to Malta between 22 and 25 September.

The visit of the Shabab Oman II is being organised by Yachting Malta and the Malta Tourism Authority, in collaboration with the Ministry for Tourism, the Ministry for Finance, Transport Malta, Valletta 2018 and Yachting in Malta.

Regarded as the flagship of the Royal Navy of Oman, the Shabab Oman II, whose name means Youth of Oman, is a full-rigged ship. Besides serving as a training ship, it fulfils the role of a roving ambassador for the Sultanate of Oman, featuring the nation’s history and culture as well as highlighting traditions of friendship and tolerance. The ship has a complement of 58 sailors and officials with an additional 34 trainees.

A gunfire salute from the Saluting Battery is expected to welcome the ship as it enters the Grand Harbour with full open sails and sailors up on its masts. Throughout her stay, the Shabab Oman II will be hosting a full programme of events and is expected to open its doors to the general public.

Yachting Malta’s chief executive officer, Wilfrid Buttigieg, explained that the nature of Shabab Oman II’s visit serves to highlight rich cultural traditions but is also a prelude to Yachting Malta’s efforts towards hosting larger events involving tall ships in the future.

The Malta Tourism Authority’s chief executive officer, Paul Bugeja, said that such a visit serves to promote and highlight Malta’s outstanding harbours and attracts a specific type of tourism niche.

Shabab Oman II is going to be on display on Saturday, 23 September and open to the general public until Sunday, 24 September. The Shabab Oman II band will display its musical talents in traditional costumes in Valletta on Saturday. The ship will leave Malta on Monday, 25 September at 10am to a Saluting Battery gunfire farewell salute.