Muscat – Details of the Muscat Metro project will be announced in the next two months, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology stated on Monday, marking a significant step in the sultanate’s plans to improve public transport and urban mobility in the capital.
Speaking at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology’s annual media meeting, H E Saeed bin Hamood al Mawali said the announcement would follow the signing of a national transport-tracking initiative and mark a key milestone in the sultanate’s long-term infrastructure strategy.
The minister outlined steady progress across transport, logistics and digital sectors under the 10th Five-Year Plan, driven by sustained investment and policy reform. Investment in the logistics sector rose to RO3.4bn during the plan period, reflecting Oman’s ambition to strengthen its position as a regional trade and connectivity hub.
The communications and information technology sector attracted RO1.2bn in investments in 2025 alone, including RO65m allocated to artificial intelligence projects.
This momentum translated into higher revenues across key transport activities last year. Revenues increased 17.4% in the ports sector, 9.4% in maritime affairs and 18% in land transport, pointing to improved efficiency and rising demand.
Road infrastructure remains a central pillar of development, with projects worth RO1.2bn currently under implementation. Major projects include the Sultan Faisal bin Turki Road linking Dibba, Lima and Khasab, the Sultan Said bin Taimur Road connecting Adam, Haima and Thumrait, the Al Batinah Coastal Road, the Eastern Expressway and dualisation of the Izki-Firq Road. Work has also begun on Al Mouj Street and 18 November Street in Muscat.
According to the minister, these projects are enhancing connectivity between cities, ports and production centres, reducing travel times and logistics costs, and supporting investment flows, while creating jobs and strengthening small and medium enterprises.
Port activity reflected the sector’s growth, with Omani ports handling more than 143mn tonnes of cargo in 2025, up from 137mn tonnes a year earlier. Container throughput exceeded 5.1mn TEUs, compared to 4.2mn TEUs in 2024, while cruise tourism expanded, with over 60 cruise ships carrying more than 200,000 passengers.
Investment agreements signed during the plan period boosted productivity and foreign participation. Cargo volumes at Shinas Port surged by more than 689% compared to 2024, while general cargo at Salalah Port rose 16.7%. New projects include a low-sulphur marine fuel refinery, bitumen storage facilities and a ferry service linking Shinas with Bandar Abbas.
Alongside physical infrastructure, Oman has advanced digital transformation. In 2025, the sultanate ranked 41st globally in the UN E-Government Development Index and achieved Tier One status in the Global Cybersecurity Index. More than 2,200 essential services have been digitised, lifting government digital performance to 94%.
Local content development also recorded gains, with projects awarded to Omani SMEs exceeding RO113mn in 2025. Omanisation rates improved across transport, logistics and IT sectors, supported by training and employment programmes for Omani youth.
Sustainability remains a core priority. Last year, Oman began operating the Middle East’s first hydrogen production and distribution station and deployed hydrogen-powered vehicles, alongside investments in green maritime initiatives, electric vehicle infrastructure and renewable energy projects worth about RO230mn.
Looking ahead, several strategic road projects are due for completion in 2026, while new port concession agreements and advanced digital platforms are expected to further enhance efficiency, with Muscat Metro set to play a central role in shaping the capital’s future transport network.
Highlights
• Logistics sector investment: RO3.4bn
• Communications and IT investment in 2025: RO1.2bn
• Investment in AI projects: RO65mn
• Ports revenue growth in 2025: 17.4%
• Maritime affairs revenue growth: 9.4%
• Land transport revenue growth: 18%
• Ongoing road projects value: RO1.2bn
• Cargo handled at Omani ports in 2025: 143mn tonnes
• Container throughput: 5.1mn TEUs
• Cruise passengers in 2025: 200,000+
• Digitised government services: 2,200+
• Government digital performance: 94%
• Projects awarded to SMEs: RO113mn
• Sustainability and green projects investment: RO230mn
