21/12/2014 06:43 AST
A spectacular waterfront development overlooking a dedicated area for cruise liners as well as a marina for super-yachts is among the highlights of a lavishly master-planned cruise and tourism port envisioned for Muscat’s Port Sultan Qaboos. Brief insights into the Omani government’s vision for Muscat port upon its redevelopment into a cruise hub were provided by a key official at the Seatrade Middle East Cruise Forum held here recently. Saud al Nahari, CEO — Port Services Corporation, which operates and manages Port Sultan Qaboos (PSQ), said the ambitious scheme has the potential to position Muscat as a premier hub for cruise tourism in the region.
“The transformation of PSQ into a tourism based mixed-use waterfront may add additional value and make it a favourite cruise destination (in the region). The redeveloped port will have a Cruise Liner Zone, Waterfront, Tourist Hotel Zone and Super-Yacht Marina Zone, among other developments,” Al Nahari said.
Infrastructure and facilities for visiting passenger liners form the centrepiece of the redevelopment project, he noted. “The cruise liner zone will have a main home port cruise terminal with facilities for customs, passport and residence, and security. During the low season it will be (ideal) for hosting conferences and events,” the CEO stated, adding that the master-plan also envisions a pair of transit cruise terminals within the cruise liner zone.
Since September 1, 2014, Port Sultan Qaboos has been effectively off-limits to commercial shipping vessels in line with the government’s directive on the relocation of all commercial cargo operations to Sohar Port. Muscat, however, still continues to receive a trickle of shipping traffic in the form of passenger liners, ships bringing wheat and cement, bitumen carriers, livestock carriers, high speed ferries, visiting naval ships, dhows and fishing trawlers.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications is overseeing the redevelopment of Port Sultan Qaboos into a sumptuous destination featuring substantial tourism, hospitality, leisure, commercial, residential and community components as well. The redevelopment is expected to be pursued in conjunction with a longstanding plan for the refurbishment of downtown Muttrah overlooking the harbour. A substantial upgrade of Al Bahri Street running alongside the waterfront is envisaged as well.
According to Al Nahari, Port Sultan Qaboos’s long-term success as a hub port for cruise shipping in the region can be entrenched if the government takes steps to address certain underlying “challenges” that have the potential to impede this vision.
For example, Muscat’s appeal as a cruise liner hub can be enhanced by promoting “direct, convenient and cost-effective air connectivity” between Oman and major cities of the world, he said. Also imperative is the need for adequate hotel room capacity to cater for home port tourists, ensuring the speedy handling of customs and immigration formalities, and encouraging the introduction of exciting and innovative shore-based excursions and itineraries for visitors, he said. Al Nahari also mooted the formation of a forum that brings together all of the stakeholders with the aim of addressing “all tourism matters and challenges”.
Oman Daily Observer
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