Development agreement moves the Aims Bay concept forward
Musandam Governorate in Oman has signed a memorandum of understanding with Al Sarooj Development Company to work on the proposed Aims Bay tourism and marina project in Khasab. The agreement was signed on 8 October 2026 during Urban October events in Muscat, setting out cooperation over infrastructure development and potential investment.
Sheikh Abdullah Salim Al Farsi, the Wali of Khasab, signed for the governorate, while Sulaiman Khamis Al Qasmi represented Al Sarooj Construction. The parties describe a shared intention to improve the waterfront and make greater use of Musandam's marine tourism potential.
A memorandum is an early commercial and administrative step, not a completed construction contract or an announcement that the marina is accepting bookings. Details such as berth sizes, opening dates and shore-service specifications still need to be defined before owners can plan an arrival.
An earlier design competition established the concept
The Aims Bay project was selected in June 2023 as one of three winning proposals in a national competition organised by Oman's Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning. That earlier plan covered approximately 6.87 hectares, aiming to connect coastal tourism with the distinctive landscape of the Musandam peninsula.
The original concept included Al Khalidiyah Viewpoint, an Aims Resort, Aims Marina and the wider Aims Bay waterfront. Those components suggest a destination in which boating, accommodation and visitor amenities are planned together, rather than simply the installation of floating pontoons.
However, an award-winning proposal and a later development agreement do not establish which elements will be built first. Further engineering, land-use approvals, environmental assessments and investment decisions are needed before the design becomes an operating site.
Why Khasab attracts cruising interest
Khasab sits close to the Strait of Hormuz, where steep mountain scenery meets narrow inlets and an extensive coastline. The setting has long attracted smaller leisure vessels and organised excursion boats, though the infrastructure demands of a privately operated luxury yacht differ from those of local tourism trips.
A practical marina needs clearly identified approaches, reliable depths, sheltered berths, shore power, potable water and arrangements for maintenance and waste collection. Captains also need accurate immigration, customs and safety information before considering a yacht itinerary across borders in this part of the Gulf.
By linking the planned marina with accommodation and land-based services, the project could eventually encourage visitors to spend more time in Musandam. The success of that approach will depend on what is actually delivered, local business involvement and the quality of ongoing management.
What needs to happen next
The agreement is intended to encourage public and private-sector cooperation around infrastructure and tourism investment. No verified project cost, completed marina layout or construction timetable was included in the publicly reported signing.
For prospective boat owners, the sound approach is therefore to regard Aims Bay as an emerging destination proposal rather than an available marina. Existing facilities in the area remain the basis for current cruising arrangements until the relevant authorities confirm new operating services.
The accompanying image comes from the announcement of the Musandam agreement, and does not represent a completed marina. This distinction is central to understanding an encouraging regional development without suggesting that additional yacht berths are already open.
