Monday, Feb 22, 2010
Gulf News
Muscat Oman's first passenger cruise terminal was formally opened on Saturday evening at Port Sultan Qaboos (PSQ) in Muscat.
A brand new Costa Crociere vessel was the first cruise ship to call at the 30,300 square metre terminal as Mohammad Al Toobi, undersecretary, Ministry of Tourism, formally opened the impressive terminal amid fanfare which included a performance by Omani folk dancers.
"The opening of this terminal is a huge gain for our tourism industry," Al Toobi told reporters after taking a tour of the terminal which includes Muscat's Duty Free outlets. He added that the number of cruise ships calling Omani ports is expected to significantly increase.
Ministry of Transport and Communications and Port Services Corporation (PSC), jointly developed the 2.7 million Omani riyal (Dh25 million) worth passenger terminal.
The authorities are expecting more than 300,000 cruise tourists to call at the newly opened terminal, giving a fillip to the tourism industry.
Before the formal opening of the new terminal, 84 cruise vessels called at the port last year.
"Cruise shipping is the sleeping giant of our tourism industry and the ministry is serious about making it work for the country," Al Toobi said.
Future destination
Speaking at the event, Qasim Al Shizawi, Director-General of Ports at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, said the new terminal would further entrench Muscat's status as a destination for international cruise ships.
The facility, he said, would help in the expeditious processing of the large numbers of tourists arriving on board cruise ships.
A 30-metre high control tower is equipped for maritime automatic radio identification, and director finder facilities.
The terminal has a quay length of up to 470 metres and an 11 to 13 metres draught — the depth to which a vessel is immersed when bearing a given load — for ships of all sizes.
"Such a terminal, the first in Oman, will add valuable services to cruise operations. We are proud to see this dream become a reality," Soud Bin Ahmad Al Nahari, CEO, Port Services Corporation, hoping that the PSQ would become an important cruise destination.
By Sunil K. Vaidya
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