Saturday 14 / February / 2026
Oman has newly issued Ministerial Decision 30/2026, based on the Maritime Law issued by Royal Decree 19/2023, establishing a regulatory framework governing the work of foreign ships and vessels in the territorial sea of the Sultanate of Oman. Published in the Official Gazette on 1 February 2026, the Decision came into force the following day and sets out the licensing requirements and obligations applicable to foreign ships undertaking activities within Omani territorial waters.
In an exclusive interview with Times of Oman, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Zadjali, Founding Partner of Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm, emphasised that at the core of the regulation is a mandatory navigation licence. “Foreign ships cannot practise any activity in the territorial sea of the Sultanate of Oman without first obtaining a navigation licence. This is a fundamental requirement designed to maintain oversight and safety. The law outlines three license types: for a single voyage, multiple voyages, or for scheduled cruise ship routes.”
He explained that “the application process is specific. Requests must be submitted by the appointed ship agent at least 03 days in advance, accompanied by key documents including the vessel’s registration and valid insurance certificates, including Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance. Authorities then have 03 working days to review the application and issue a decision. If no response is issued within this period, the application is deemed rejected.”
He noted that “certain vessels are exempt from this requirement, including foreign ships designated for military purposes, ships entering the territorial sea for the purpose of loading and unloading (port calls) in Omani ports, and vessels in genuine emergency situations, provided they depart immediately after the purpose of entry is fulfilled.”
“The regulation imposes direct obligations on ship operators. They must strictly adhere to the licenced activity and location, follow all Omani laws, and maintain their automatic identification systems, and obtain a departure certificate before leaving Omani territorial waters. Ports and harbors also bear responsibility to verify a ship’s licence before permitting entry. Non-compliance carries significant consequences. The maritime authority can impose substantial fines, suspend operations, or cancel the navigation license entirely, with fines doubling for repeat offences within 02 years,” he said.
“By formalising these procedures, Oman strengthens the governance of its maritime domain, promoting a secure, transparent, and reliable environment for international nautical operations,” Dr. Mohammed concluded.
* (Mohammed Ibrahim Law Firm ([email protected]), (+968 244 87 600) was established on 14th December 2006 and is serving clients through its offices in Muscat and Sohar, as well as operating on a request basis in other areas. It offers legal representation across a wide range of practice areas that include Labour Law, Corporate, Commercial, Contracts, Banking and Finance, International Trade, Foreign Investment, Insurance, Maritime Law, Construction and Engineering Contracts, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and more).
