Oman Trade Demonstrates Resilience Amid Regional Tensions

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 17, 2026

Oman’s trade and maritime sectors quickly rebounded after experiencing disruptions from heightened Iran-US tensions, with maritime shipping stabilizing rapidly while air travel and tourism faced larger declines. The country’s robust transport infrastructure and alternative routes helped mitigate impacts, leading to increased cargo traffic at Omani ports and signaling a shift in regional trade flows despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.

Oman’s trade and maritime sectors have shown notable resilience despite disruptions caused by escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, according to the Central Bank of Oman (CBO). While maritime trade and commercial shipping stabilized relatively quickly, air travel and tourism experienced more significant setbacks, as detailed in the CBO’s 2025 Annual Report released in September 2026.

The report highlights that regional tensions, which intensified in late February 2026, led to temporary interruptions in maritime and air transport, impacting Oman’s non-oil trade. In March, trade flows declined markedly, reflecting disruptions to shipping routes linked to the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz. In 2025, Oman’s non-oil exports to countries connected to the Strait represented 40.9% of total non-oil exports, while such markets accounted for 46.4% of imports and 68.8% of re-exports, underscoring Oman’s strong economic reliance on this corridor.

Despite these initial setbacks, early data from April indicated a swift recovery. Imports surged by 91.4% compared to March, non-oil exports increased by 11.1%, and re-exports experienced a sharp rise of 225.9%, signaling the resumption of commercial activity and adaptation to the changing regional dynamics. However, non-oil exports remained relatively subdued owing to continued exposure to Arabian Gulf markets.

The CBO credited Oman’s existing transport infrastructure and alternative land routes for cushioning the impact. Land-based non-oil exports rose to 182 million Omani rials (RO) in April from RO 159.9 million in March, while seaborne imports recovered to RO 847.9 million, nearly doubling from RO 458 million. Airborne imports also increased substantially to RO 510.6 million from RO 144.8 million, partially reflecting delayed shipments and rerouted trade flows.

Maritime operations stayed largely functional throughout the period. Data from the International Maritime Federation’s PortWatch, referenced by the CBO, showed an increase in ship calls at Omani ports—from 219 vessels in March to 344 in April—including container ships and tankers.

In contrast, the commercial aviation sector was more severely affected. Passenger arrivals and departures totaled approximately 727,669 in April, a drop of 27.2% compared to the same month in the previous year. Rising jet-fuel prices contributed to higher airline operating costs and ticket prices, likely deterring inbound tourism. Visitor numbers fell 5.2% year-on-year in March, a relatively mild decline compared to a 46.6% drop in traffic carried by Middle East airlines during the same period.

Looking ahead, the CBO noted ongoing uncertainty surrounding global supply chains, commodity prices, and product availability. Nevertheless, Oman’s transport infrastructure and trade networks have alleviated some immediate challenges. The report also observed a shift in regional cargo routing toward Omani ports, particularly Salalah and Suhar, as logistical adjustments continue amid the evolving geopolitical landscape.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.