Muscat (Oman)

Muscat is Oman's main cruise port, a major seaport and the capital city of Oman (country on the Arabian Peninsula's southeastern coast). Muscat Port (aka Port Sultan Qaboos) is actually in Dikkah (Al Muttrah).

In 2023, the Port received 431,000+ cruise tourists through 110 ship calls.

In 2024-Q4 was announced a port expansion/infrastructure development plan for upgrades to allow the handling of larger vessels. Currently, Port Sultan Qaboos has 9 berths (total length 1750 m) and a dedicated cruise terminal. All vessels are provided with standard services such as tug assistance, berth planning, mooring, cargo and baggage handling, electricity and fresh water supply - for both commercial and passenger ships.

Muscat's Mina Sultan Qaboos Port (locode OMOPQ) is Oman's main cargo and containership port, with annual trade volume ~1,6 million tons. Most facilities are state-owned and managed.

The city is also served by the Muscat Airport, which has Terminal 1 (2018-opened) and Terminal 2 (Old Terminal). Regularly scheduled flights link Muscat with the UAE, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Syria, Iran, Egypt, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Turkey, Europe (Holland, Switzerland, Greece, Italy, France, Germany, UK, Russia), Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Maldives.

Muscat has been an important commercial seaport since the 6th century BC when was controlled by the Persians. In the period 1508-1650, the town was ruled by Portugal, and in 1650-1741 - by Iran. In 1741, the city became Oman's capital.

The city is flanked by mountains and its waterfront is dominated by Al-Alam Palace (the residence of Oman's sultan in the Old Town). The Old Town also features a labyrinth of old buildings guarded by two 16th-century Portuguese forts (Jalali and Mirani). Other tourist attractions include Bayt Al-Zubair Museum, Nakhi Fort, Muttrah Fort, Zazawi Mosque, Rostaq Fort, Bayt Al Naman Castle, Al Bustan Hotel, Ruwi (Muscat's business district), Nizwa City (~1,5 hours drive from downtown), Jabrin Town (near Nizwa).

The city's current-day economy is mainly based on trade, with traditional exports like dates, nacre (composite material produced by mollusks) and fish. Established in 1962, Petroleum Development Oman is the country's second-largest employer (after Oman's government). The company's largest shareholders are Royal Dutch Shell (British-Dutch), Total SA (French) and Partex Corporation (Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Portugal). City's largest trade companies are Suhail Bahwan Group (local partner of Toshiba, Subaru, Seiko, Hewlett-Packard, GM, RAK Ceramics), Saud Bahwan Group (local partner of Toyota, Daihatsu, KIA, Hertz Car Rentals), Zubair Automotive (local partner of Mitsubishi, and Chrysler).