Oman’s risky maritime zone designation rescinded

Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and in coordination with the Foreign Ministry, the Maritime Security Centre and Asyad Group, has been able to lift Omani seas and ports from the high maritime risk zone endorsed by the risk rating panel of Lloyd’s company and London-based maritime insurance companies.

In May 2019, the committee rated seas and ports lying in the Arabian Sea, Sea of Oman, and the Gulf as falling within the high maritime risk zone due to a number of incidents that occurred outside Oman regional waters.

Over the past period, the working team formed by the departments concerned in the Sultanate worked in continuous coordination and consultation with representatives of the risk rating committee of the London-based maritime insurance firms. The Omani team provided appropriate information proving that Omani seas and ports are clear of any threats targeting vessel safety or international maritime freighting routes. The Omani team also furnished security procedures endorsed at the Sultanate’s ports to provide safe, secure, and sustainable shipping covering all Omani zones.

The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology said that lifting the Sultanate from the high-risk maritime zone will raise the number of international vessels and cargo firms frequenting Omani ports and augment the volume of investments in the fields of maritime transports via Omani ports. This success reflects the status of security in all of the Sultanate’s geographical outreach.

The Ministry and the departments concerned reiterate that the Sultanate’s maritime security system is supported by a solid base of protection ensuring safe and sustainable shipping in Omani seas and ports.