Oman Tightens Maritime Rules For Foreign Ships In Its Territorial Waters

Oman has said that foreign ships and maritime units operating in its territorial waters must keep their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) switched on at all times.

The AIS requirement is part of a set of rules for foreign-flagged vessels entering Oman’s territorial sea to carry out authorised operations. The rules cover navigation, restricted areas, weapons and ammunition, photography and departure from Omani territorial waters.

The Oman Maritime Security Centre said foreign ships and maritime units must operate only within the area and for the activity authorised under their navigation licence. They must also comply with Omani laws and regulations.

The announcement was made at the Oman Maritime Security Centre and stated that foreign ships and maritime units must operate within the area and for the activity authorised under their navigation licence and comply with Omani laws.

The requirement has been issued under Article 10 of Ministerial Decision No. 30/2026, issued by Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. The decision sets out the rules for foreign ships and maritime units operating in Oman’s territorial sea.

The requirement comes amid several reported cases of AIS anomalies and GNSS interference in and around the Strait of Hormuz. GPS jamming and spoofing in the area have distorted vessel positions, with some ships appearing in fictitious clusters, following implausible tracks or even appearing over land.

This interference can make vessel position data less reliable and cause AIS anomalies, including false tracks and occasional loss of signals. As a result, monitoring vessels and the maritime situation in the area can become more difficult.

Rules for foreign vessels

In accordance with the regulations, the foreign ships and maritime units, must operate only in the area and for the activity allowed by their navigation licence.

Foreign vessels should leave Omani territorial waters 24 hours after expiry or cancellation of the navigation license. They cannot anchor in Omani territorial waters until completion of arrival formalities in the nearest maritime port.

Also, vessels are obliged to:

• Enter protected or restricted areas only after receiving permission from the competent authorities.
• Inform about weapons and ammunition aboard in advance or during navigation through Omani territorial waters and receive appropriate permits.
• Not photograph public and private property.
• Receive a departure certificate before leaving Omani territorial waters.
• Maintain AIS on constantly while operating in Omani territorial waters.

Exclusions include military ships, foreign ships that visit Omani ports only for loading/unloading purposes, and any ship that enters into the territorial sea in an emergency situation.

If a ship does not meet the conditions stated, the maritime authority is authorised to enforce its powers.

In case of non-compliance, the penalty includes an administrative fine, suspension, or revocation of a license for navigation.

The regulation provides the opportunity for Oman to have control over the foreign ships carrying out licensed activities within the territorial sea of Oman.

References: safety4sea, thearabianstories