MUSCAT: The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology issued 12 licences to 11 companies last year for the management and operation of marine piers for tourism and commercial activities outside ports, as part of efforts to regulate the sector and enhance maritime safety standards.
The licences were granted after companies met the requirements of the regulations governing the establishment, management and operation of marine piers outside ports. The initiative aims to improve service quality, strengthen maritime safety compliance and support the development of Oman’s logistics and maritime sectors.
Laila bint Ali al Batashi, Director of the Ports and Marine Docks Department at the ministry, said seven licences were issued for tourism piers in the governorates of Muscat, Dhofar, Musandam and Al Batinah South. Five licences were granted for commercial piers located in Al Sharqiyah South and Musandam.
The regulatory framework provides three types of licences. The first is a conditional preliminary approval valid for one year, allowing investors to complete procedures and secure approvals from relevant authorities before beginning construction.
Once all approvals and engineering designs are finalised, investors may apply for a construction permit. During 2026, five construction permits were issued for marine piers in the wilayats of Taqah, Salalah, Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, Barka and Al Duqm.
A third category covers management and operation licences, which are issued annually for commercial and tourism piers. Last year, five licences were granted for commercial piers in Sur and Khasab, with lengths ranging from 176 metres to 759 metres, while seven tourism pier licences were issued in Muscat, Dibba and Salalah, with lengths between 250 metres and 2,286 metres.
Al Batashi noted that licence holders must comply with maritime laws and safety regulations, secure insurance coverage for facilities and obtain prior approval for any expansion works. Operators are also required to report incidents immediately and implement approved safety, security and maintenance plans.
The regulations further stipulate that vessels cannot be received until all required permits are obtained and operations must be carried out only by authorised entities or personnel.
The licensing system forms part of the ministry’s broader strategy to enhance port and maritime infrastructure, strengthen the competitiveness of the logistics sector and support growth in tourism, trade and industry across the Sultanate of Oman.
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