New rules for cruise ships
MUSCAT: New regulations are coming to oversee cruise ships, yachts and water sports vessels, in an effort to protect residents and tourists alike, the Ministry of Transport and Communications has announced.
“The Ministry is in the process of issuing a regulation entitled, ‘Regulation of the organising and operating of marine tourism units, yachts and cruise boats, water sports boats,’” a spokesman said.
The regulations will cover the territorial seas of Oman and beyond. The news was announced at a meeting organised by the Ministry of Transport and Transport in the Musandam Governorate.
The movement of cruise ships in the Khasab port has increased from 12 in 2016 to 66 ships in 2016.
Passenger traffic at the Khasab port also surged between 2011 and 2016, from 2,391 passengers to 114,445 passengers in 2016.
The ministry has also agreed to build a four-star hotel on the port of Khasab with investment from the private sector.
A maritime safety section will also be opened in the Musandam Governorate, the ministry announced.
“The ministry is continuing to regulate the movement of boats and cruise ships through the application of regulations and is conducting inspection tours in coordination with the Coast Guard police to control illegal people, for residents’ safety and the safety of tourists,” Saeed Bin Hamdoon Al Harthy, undersecretary of Ports and Maritime Affairs, told the meeting.