Wednesday 11 / November / 2026
Khasab: Khasab Port in Musandam Governorate is one of the key maritime facilities supporting commercial and economic activity in the governorate. It benefits from its strategic location overlooking the Strait of Hormuz and its proximity to international shipping lanes.
The port plays a role in trade, re-export and cargo handling, in addition to its capacity to support tourism and logistics activities. This creates opportunities to attract investment and develop the maritime economy in the governorate.
Khasab Port recorded growth in its commercial activities and in re-export and cargo handling during 2026, reflecting the development of its activity within Oman's ports and logistics system.
Sheikh Abdullah Salim Al Farsi, Wali of Khasab, affirmed that the strategic location of Musandam Governorate and its outlook over the Strait of Hormuz are important factors in strengthening its presence in trade and maritime navigation. He noted that proximity to international shipping lanes supports the development of economic activities linked to ports, maritime transport and logistics services.
In a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), he added that developing the maritime services and facilities system, with Khasab Port at the forefront, offers promising opportunities to attract investment and expand maritime activities and related industries. It also strengthens the role of the private sector and small and medium enterprises, which helps create new economic opportunities and supports the objectives of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Musandam Governorate 2040.
On her turn, Laila Ali Al Batashi, Director of the Ports and Marine Berths Department at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said the value of re-exports through Khasab Port reached about RO 330.6 million during the first eight months of 2026, compared with about RO 301.6 million in the same period of 2025, a growth rate of 9.6 percent.
She explained that the port accounted for about 60.9 percent of the total value of re-exports through Oman's seaports, which reached about RO 543 million from January to the end of August 2026.
She added that the value of re-exports through Khasab Port represented about 24.6 percent of the total value of re-exports through Oman's sea, air and land ports, which amounted to about RO 1.34 billion by the end of August 2026, compared with about RO 1.12 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, a growth rate of 19.7 percent.
She noted that total cargo handling at the port rose to about 114,900 tonnes from January to the end of September 2026, compared with about 107,700 tonnes in the corresponding period of 2025, a growth rate of 6.6 percent. This reflects the development of the port's operational activity and its contribution to supporting commercial and economic activity in Musandam Governorate.
She affirmed that Musandam Governorate has distinct geographical and strategic advantages, foremost among them its location overlooking the Strait of Hormuz and its proximity to international shipping lanes. This creates opportunities to develop activities related to maritime transport, logistics services and marine tourism, and to benefit from its position within Oman's maritime economy.
She explained that the ministry is working to develop Khasab Port, raise its operational efficiency and upgrade its infrastructure and services. This supports the use of the governorate's advantages, expands economic and maritime activities and enhances the port's ability to attract investment.
She noted that the ministry signed a framework agreement in 2022 with Hutchison Ports Sohar to manage, operate and develop the port, with the aim of maximizing the benefits of its strategic location and supporting economic diversification efforts in Musandam Governorate.
She added that work is under way to complete the necessary procedures for a long-term concession agreement with the company to manage, operate and develop the port. The agreement includes performance indicators and investment commitments to develop its facilities and infrastructure.
She pointed out that the development plans include building a new tourism berth, installing cranes, constructing warehouses and automating the port's operations, along with other development works. A timetable has been set to complete these plans, which will help raise the port's efficiency and develop its services.
She said the ministry is working to develop small and medium ports, raise their operational efficiency and strengthen their integration with Oman's ports system in support of economic and maritime activities in the governorate. She affirmed that geopolitical developments in the region have highlighted the importance of Omani ports and maritime facilities in supporting trade and maritime navigation.
She added that continued development of maritime facilities will help diversify economic activities in Musandam Governorate, attract investment in logistics, tourism and maritime fields, and benefit from vessel traffic passing through the region. This supports the establishment of sustainable projects and strengthens economic development in the governorate.
On future plans, the Director of the Ports and Marine Berths Department at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, explained that the ministry aims to develop Khasab Port, raise its operational efficiency and enhance its integration with Oman's ports system. This will consolidate its role as a complementary logistics centre, strengthen its capacity to receive large cruise ships and attract investment and economic and maritime activities, thereby supporting economic diversification and stimulating tourism and economic activity in Musandam Governorate.
