The development of seaport infrastructure in Oman during the fiftyyear reign of Sultan Qaboos was a result of his government’s vision and strategic planning. Seaport development reflects Oman’s engagement with broader international trends such as globalization. Local and geopolitical forces both within the jurisdiction of Oman, as well as beyond the Sultan’s scope of influence, have shaped seaport initiatives. Exemplifying this are the Omani port cities of Duqm and Salalah, with their associated Duqm Special Economic and Salalah Free Zones. These two seaports represent Oman’s increasing engagement with global trade through the reign of Sultan Qaboos 1970–2020.

Salalah, the largest city and traditional capital in the Dhofar Governate, is located on Oman’s southeastern coast of the Arabian Sea. Today it is a containerized seaport for supplies and manufactured goods, ranking it among the top fifty worldwide. The seaport’s affiliated Salalah Free Zone offers an extensive range of trading, storage, assembly, and transit services. Duqm is a new, but growing, port city on Oman’s mid-Arabian Sea coast. The recent Duqm Special Economic Zone is poised for significant growth. Duqm is to the east of Salalah in the Al-Wusta Governate, a natural port and accessible to major shipping lanes. Over the past fifty years, both Duqm and Salalah and their opportunity zones were designed and developed to provide trade services to the western Indian Ocean world, and beyond.

Sultan Qaboos’ record reflects his ability to inspire Oman’s citizenry and produce positive results, while also timing his government’s efforts to the identified opportunities and adjusting to the vicissitudes of his era. Sultan Qaboos communicated his strategy to the Omani people using Annual Speeches of His Majesty before the Council of Oman, and through regular decrees. “In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful,” or a similar refrain, introduced and permeated his words of purpose, encouragement, enthusiasm, and direction. Addressing specific endeavors, such as education, employment, development, international affairs, tourism, or infrastructure, Sultan Qaboos consistently based his message on God’s love, and the responsibility of both citizen and state to work in harmony toward continued progress to achieve the goals of Oman’s Renaissance.