Muscat: Omani ports recorded remarkable growth in operational activity indicators during the first eight months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. This reflects the growth in handling activity of ports in Oman and increasing logistical activity, which enhances the position of the Sultanate of Oman in the trade and maritime transport movement regionally as well as internationally.
Laila bint Ali Al-Batashi, Director of the Department of Ports and Marine Piers at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said that the number of ships received by Omani ports and marine piers outside ports increased by 27.9 percent to reach more than 11,000 ships by the end of August 2026, compared to 8,793 ships during the same period in 2025.
She added in a statement to the Oman News Agency that container handling activity witnessed a growth of 20.5 percent, with the number of containers handled exceeding 4 million standard containers, compared to 3.36 million standard containers during the same period last year. This clearly reflects the growth of commercial activity and the efficiency of operational processes in Omani ports.
She further noted that the volume of goods handled at the ports recorded a remarkable increase of 62.3 percent, reaching about 146 million tonnes by the end of August 2026, compared to about 90.5 million tonnes during the same period in 2025. This also reflects the expansion of the movement of goods and the growing role of ports in supporting supply chains and logistics services.
Vehicle traffic recorded the highest growth among the monitored operational indicators, with an increase of 182.6 percent, as the number of vehicles handled in the ports rose to 188,368, compared to 66,661 during the same period last year.
The Director of the Ports and Maritime Docks Department confirmed that these indicators reflect the growing operational activity in Omani ports during the current year, in light of the increase in the number of ships, containers, and quantities of goods and vehicles handled.
She pointed out that this growth enhances the role of ports as a fundamental pillar in the transport and logistics system, and an important hub for facilitating trade and strengthening connectivity between the Sultanate of Oman and regional and international markets.