Overview
Physical infrastructure underpinning Oman’s fisheries sector spans transport networks, utilities, industrial zones, and specialised facilities. The government has committed significant capital to infrastructure development, with the national infrastructure pipeline valued at over USD 50 billion across all sectors. For fisheries specifically, infrastructure investment of OMR 500 million in aquaculture projects targets capacity expansion, connectivity improvement, and modernisation of existing assets.
Key Indicators
| Infrastructure Element | Current Status | 2040 Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Catch | ~290,000 tonnes | 600,000 tonnes by 2040 |
| GDP Contribution | ~1% | 3%+ by 2040 |
| Aquaculture Output | ~5,000 tonnes | 200,000 tonnes by 2040 |
Analysis
Infrastructure quality and availability significantly determine the competitiveness of Oman’s fisheries sector. The Sultanate’s geographic advantages (3,165 km coastline, strategic location between Asia and Africa) are leveraged through purpose-built infrastructure. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Oman Fisheries Co., Al Jazeera Seafood, Blue Waters benefit from dedicated industrial zones, port access, and utility connections. However, infrastructure gaps persist in secondary cities and remote governorates, creating geographic disparities in sector development. The Oman Rail project (2,200 km) and road expansion programmes will enhance connectivity, while digital infrastructure (5G, fibre) enables technology-intensive operations.
Challenges
Infrastructure financing gaps, construction delays, maintenance backlogs, and geographic dispersion increase costs. Overfishing pressure on traditional stocks, limited cold-chain and processing infrastructure, low value addition (70 percent sold fresh/unprocessed), climate change impacts on marine ecosystems, and competition from Asian aquaculture imports.
Opportunities
PPP models for infrastructure delivery, modular construction approaches, smart infrastructure integration, and cross-sector infrastructure sharing reduce costs and improve utilisation. Aquaculture mega-projects (shrimp, abalone, sea cucumber), fish processing and canning for export, marine biotech research, sustainable fishing certification (MSC), and integration with tourism (sport fishing, seafood gastronomy trails).
Vision 2040 Targets
Raise fisheries GDP share to 3 percent; grow annual production to 600,000 tonnes (including aquaculture); establish 10 aquaculture zones; increase processed fish exports fivefold; maintain 95 percent Omanisation.