UN/LOCODE: OMOPQ📍 Oman
Port of Port Qaboos (UN/LOCODE OMOPQ)
❖ Coordinates: 23.6275°N, 58.5615°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Muscat
❖ UN/LOCODE: OMOPQ
## About the Port
### Location and Geographical Setting
Port Qaboos (UN/LOCODE **OMOPQ**) lies on the sheltered inlet of Muscat Bay, at **23.6275° N, 58.5615° E**. The port benefits from a natural deepwater channel that accommodates vessels with a maximum draft of 12 meters, while the surrounding mountainous terrain shields the harbor from adverse weather. Situated in the **Muscat Governorate**, the facility operates on **Asia/Muscat** time (UTC +4), aligning it with major Gulf and Indian‑Ocean trading hubs. Its proximity to the capital city’s commercial districts and the Sultan Qaboos International Airport creates a multimodal logistics node that integrates sea, air, and road transport.
### Role within Oman’s Maritime Network
Port Qaboos is the second‑largest commercial gateway after the newer Salalah Port, yet it remains the **primary gateway for north‑eastern Oman**. The port handles a diverse cargo mix that supports the Sultanate’s petrochemical, construction, and tourism sectors. As part of Oman’s “Strategic Connectivity” agenda, Port Qaboos links the Arabian Sea to the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea corridor, and the emerging **China‑Middle East Belt & Road** initiatives, making it a critical hub for both intra‑regional and trans‑continental trade flows.
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## History
### Early Development (Pre‑Independence)
The site that would become Port Qaboos was originally a modest anchorage used by dhows and early European merchant vessels in the 19th century. Limited infrastructure—primarily a stone jetty and rudimentary loading platforms—served the export of dates, frankincense, and later, crude oil from the nascent Omani oilfields.
### Modernization Era (1970s‑1990s)
Following the accession of Sultan Qaboos bin Said in 1970, the Omani government launched an ambitious maritime modernization program. In **1977**, the Ministry of Transport and Communications commissioned the construction of a modern container terminal, equipped with the first **mobile gantry crane** in the Gulf. By the early 1990s, the port had added **two additional berths**, a dedicated bulk terminal, and a roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) facility to accommodate the growing regional ferry traffic.
### Recent Expansions (2000s‑Present)
The turn of the millennium saw a series of upgrades aligned with the **“Oman Vision 2020”** development plan. In **2005**, a dedicated **dry‑bulk terminal** was inaugurated, increasing handling capacity to 3 Mt/yr. A **container yard expansion** in **2012** introduced automated stacking cranes and a 1,200‑meter quay, allowing the port to handle **Panamax‑size vessels**. The most recent project, completed in **2023**, added a **deep‑draft berth (12 m)** and a state‑of‑the‑art **Customs Single Window** system, streamlining clearance procedures and boosting turnaround efficiency.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Draft
Port Qaboos currently operates **six operational berths**: two container berths (10 m and 12 m draft), two bulk berths (11 m draft), a Ro‑Ro berth (12 m draft), and a dedicated passenger terminal. The deep‑draft berth enables the port to receive vessels up to **70 000 DWT**, accommodating the latest generation of container ships and oil tankers.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
The terminal is equipped with **four post‑pandemic mobile gantry cranes (MGCs)**, two rail‑mounted quay cranes, **three ship‑to‑shore (STS) gantries**, and an array of **hydraulic forklifts** for break‑bulk cargo. Bulk handling relies on **belt conveyors**, **ship loaders**, and **gravity feeders** capable of moving 2 000 t/h of grain, ore, or cement.
### Storage and Logistics
A **1.4 million m² container yard** incorporates both open‑air stacks and a **covered cold‑storage facility** for perishables. Adjacent to the yard, a **200,000 m² bulk storage area** houses silos for cement, clinker, and fertilizers, while a dedicated **vehicle‑parking zone** accommodates up to 5 000 trucks nightly. The port’s logistics core is connected to the **Omani national rail network (planned)** and the **Moghalat‑Al‑Mushrif highway**, providing seamless hinterland access.
### Navigational Aids and Security
Port QaboOS operates a **dual‑frequency AIS system**, **VTS (Vessel Traffic Service)** radar, and an **e‑Loran** timing service for precision navigation. Security is governed by **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code** compliance, with 24‑hour CCTV monitoring and a dedicated maritime police unit. The port also hosts a **Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC)** that interfaces with the **International Maritime Organization (IMO)** for emergency response.
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## Economic Importance
### Contribution to GDP
According to the **Omani Ministry of Commerce and Industry**, Port Qaboos contributes roughly **4 % of Oman’s total maritime trade value**, translating to an estimated **US$ 5 billion** in annual cargo throughput. This figure accounts for both direct port revenues and the multiplier effects generated by ancillary services such as freight forwarding, warehousing, and ship repair.
### Linkages to Oil & Gas, Tourism, and Logistics
While Salalah dominates the oil‑export market, Port Qaboos handles **refined petroleum products**, **petrochemical intermediates**, and **LNG** bunker supplies for vessels transiting the Gulf of Oman. The port’s passenger terminal serves **cruise liners**, linking Muscat’s burgeoning tourism sector to European and Asian itineraries. Moreover, its multimodal connectivity underpins Oman’s role as a **logistics hub for the GCC**, facilitating the movement of automotive parts, consumer goods, and project cargo for megaprojects in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
### Employment and Downstream Services
Port Qaboos directly employs **≈ 2 200** staff across operations, customs, and security, while indirect employment—spanning trucking, ship chandlery, and maritime consultancy—exceeds **10 000** jobs. The presence of **ship‑repair workshops** and an **off‑shore engineering hub** has attracted global maritime firms, reinforcing Oman’s reputation as a **regional services hub**.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Regional Intra‑Gulf Traffic
The port maintains **daily feeder services** to neighboring Gulf ports, notably **Kuwait**, **Bahrain**, and **Dubai**, enabling swift distribution of containerized goods across the GCC. These short‑haul routes are serviced by **short‑sea liner vessels** (5 000–10 000 DWT), ensuring a **turnaround time of < 48 hours**.
### International Liner Services
Long‑haul connections link Port Qaboos to **European** hubs such as **Rotterdam** and **Hamburg**, **South‑Asian** ports including **Mumbai** and **Colombo**, and the **East Asian** gateway of **Shanghai**. The port participates in major alliances—**CMA CGM’s Asia‑Europe Loop** and **MSC’s Middle East service**—allowing carriers to schedule **weekly calls** with a mix of **Feeder‑Feeder (FF) and Main‑Line (ML)** vessels.
### Dominant Cargo Types
| Cargo Type | Approx. Share of Throughput | Typical Vessel Size |
|------------|----------------------------|---------------------|
| Containers (20‑ft & 40‑ft) | 45 % | Panamax / Post‑Panamax |
| Dry Bulk (cement, grain, ore) | 30 % | Handy‑max & Supramax |
| Project Cargo (machinery, steel girders) | 12 % | Heavy‑Lift & Ro‑Ro |
| Liquid Bulk (refined fuels, chemicals) | 8 % | VLCC‑size tankers |
| Passengers & Cruise | 5 % | Cruise liners (5 000 gt) |
The **container segment** is driven by imports of **automotive parts**, **electronics**, and **consumer goods**, while **dry bulk** largely comprises **cement** for Oman’s infrastructure boom and **agricultural imports** (wheat, soy). Project cargo reflects the high volume of **oil‑field equipment** and **construction machinery** destined for regional mega‑projects.
### Future Prospects
Port Qaboos is poised to benefit from the **“Silk Road Economic Belt”** as China deepens trade ties with the Gulf. Planned **digitalization initiatives**, such as a **blockchain‑based cargo tracking platform** and **AI‑enhanced berth allocation**, aim to reduce vessel waiting time by **15 %** by 2027. Moreover, the upcoming **Oman‑UAE railway corridor** will provide a direct land bridge to the **Persian Gulf ports**, augmenting Port Qaboos’s role as a **trans‑shipment hub** for cargo moving between the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
*For further technical details on Oman’s port regulations, see the **International Maritime Organization (IMO)** portal.*
*Comprehensive UN/LOCODE data and global trade statistics are available through the **UN/LOCODE directory**.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
OMOPQ
Country
Oman
Province / Region
Muscat Governorate
Latitude
23.627548
Longitude
58.561524
Timezone
Asia/Muscat
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Port Qaboos?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Port Qaboos is OMOPQ.
Where is Port of Port Qaboos located?
The Port of Port Qaboos is located in Oman, Muscat Governorate. Its coordinates are 23.6275°N, 58.5615°E.
What time zone is Port of Port Qaboos in?
Port of Port Qaboos operates in the Asia/Muscat time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.7 m
Wave Direction78°
Swell Height0.5 m
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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