Major digital upgrades and tighter maritime controls, including new rules for marine clubs, are reshaping Bahrain’s transport sector, a top official has said.
Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa told Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee that the ministry was pressing ahead with regulatory reforms while modernising services across maritime and civil aviation sectors.
“We are transforming the way we deliver services – digitally, transparently and in line with international best practice,” he said. “Our objective is efficiency without compromising safety or oversight.”
With more than 7,000 registered vessels in Bahrain, Dr Shaikh Abdulla revealed that the digitisation of maritime services had been completed, including the launch of a new platform for small vessel registration.
A new ministerial decree regulating small vessel registration is also being drafted, specifying inspection fees for commercial and service vessels.
Additional draft decrees will introduce fines and penalties for vessel owners who fail to renew registration certificates, navigation licences or pilot licences.
Meanwhile, a separate draft regulation to govern the licensing of marine clubs and fishermen’s harbours is being finalised in co-ordination with relevant authorities.
“All outstanding marine service fees have been fully collected through the upgraded registration system,” the minister confirmed.
The ministry has also agreed to regulate the status of maritime markers, with new procedures to be adopted to strengthen navigational safety.
At Khalifa Bin Salman Port, a specialised team has been formed to enhance inspection operations in line with the concession agreement with the operating company.
Turning to civil aviation, the minister signalled ‘fundamental changes’ for the sector, with preparations already underway for the 2027 International Civil Aviation Organisation verification mission.
“Our target is to exceed 95 per cent compliance in addressing all observations,” he said.
Recruitment, training and qualification of additional inspectors and auditors are ongoing, while draft amendments to the executive regulations of the Civil Aviation Law are being finalised.
Co-ordination with the Industry and Commerce Ministry is also under way to identify commercial registrations carrying out aviation-related activities without proper licences. “We are building a transport and aviation ecosystem that is modern, compliant and globally competitive,” Dr Shaikh Abdulla told MPs. “Safety, regulation and digital transformation remain at the core of our strategy.”
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