Oman’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water Resources (MAFWR) has initiated a $29.8 million (OMR 11.5 million) investment project to establish two new fishing ports in Sadah, along with upgrades to the Raysut and Al Halaniyat ports in Dhofar.
The two new ports will be located in the niyabat of Hasik and the Hadbin area of the wilayat. In addition, MAFWR is developing an administrative building and service facilities at Al Halaniyat Islands’ fishing port. Renovation work is also underway at Raysut port, and a consultant has been appointed to design a new port in the Al Fazaih area of Rakhyut.
Abdul Nasser bin Obaid Ghawas, Director of the Fisheries Department in Dhofar, shared that construction has already begun on the Hasik and Hadbin ports, with a budget of $15 million (OMR 5.8 million). These projects include breakwaters, floating moorings, and necessary infrastructure such as roads, lighting, and facilities for fishermen.
The renovations at Raysut, costing $7.8 million (OMR 3 million), involve the construction of a 610-meter protection breakwater, a 70-meter fixed dock, and a 250-meter rock wall to prevent sand from entering the port. Additionally, around 100,000 cubic meters of sand will be removed from the port basin, and 35,000 square meters of land reclaimed near the fixed dock.
Development at the Al Halaniyat Islands fishing port will include an administrative building and service facilities, with an investment of $6.5 million (OMR 2.5 million), expected to be completed within two years.
“These projects are vital for enhancing the fisheries sector and improving maritime transport in the governorate,” said Ghawas.
MAFWR is also working to implement an economic management system for fishing ports, aiming to increase investment and boost the sector’s contribution to the national economy. Recently, it signed a management agreement for Taqah fishing port in collaboration with the private sector.
Currently, Dhofar has four operational fishing ports in Salalah, Taqah, Mirbat, and Al Halaniyat Islands.
