Oman’s Sail Training Ship ‘Shabab Oman II’ Wins Top Honors

Post by : Amit

A Maritime Jewel of Oman Sets Sail for Glory

In a proud moment for the Sultanate of Oman and its seafaring legacy, the Royal Navy of Oman’s sail training ship, Shabab Oman II, has clinched the top award at the prestigious 2025 Tall Ships Races. The award, known as the Sail Training International’s Friendship Trophy, is one of the most coveted honors in the world of traditional sailing vessels. It’s a symbol not just of seamanship, but of international camaraderie, cultural exchange, and the promotion of maritime heritage.

This accolade affirms Oman’s strategic use of its naval assets not merely for defense, but for diplomacy and youth development. At a time when maritime nations are rediscovering the value of sail training ships as tools of soft power, Shabab Oman II stands out as an ambassador with billowing sails and a message of peace.

The Tall Ships Races: A Stage of Global Unity

Organized annually by Sail Training International, the Tall Ships Races are not conventional regattas focused only on competition. They are gatherings of nations where sail training ships—ranging from classic schooners and barques to modern sail vessels—come together to promote global friendship, leadership among youth, and cross-cultural dialogue.

Each year, participating ships journey across several ports in Europe or other regions, engaging in sail races, parades, public open days, and intercultural events. For Oman’s Shabab Oman II, this year's event was more than a race; it was a reaffirmation of the nation's rich maritime traditions and its growing role in global naval diplomacy.

A Vessel That Embodies Oman’s Spirit

Shabab Oman II, which translates to “Youth of Oman,” is not just a training ship; it’s a floating embodiment of national identity and cultural pride. Launched in 2014 from the Damen Shipyards in Romania, this three-masted full-rigged ship stretches 87 meters in length, equipped with advanced navigation systems yet maintaining the classic beauty of traditional tall ships.

Designed as a state-of-the-art sail training platform, it can carry over 90 people, including cadets and permanent crew. The ship is part of the Royal Navy of Oman’s initiative to blend military discipline with leadership training, environmental awareness, and international goodwill.

During her voyages, Shabab Oman II welcomes young Omani cadets, giving them hands-on seamanship skills while sailing into global ports, fostering friendship with foreign naval forces, and hosting thousands of visitors on open days. Her decks have witnessed many diplomatic interactions, high-profile naval reviews, and cultural showcases.

Winning the Friendship Trophy: What It Signifies

The Friendship Trophy is awarded not to the fastest or the most technically advanced ship, but to the one that best represents the spirit of the Tall Ships Races. It’s a peer-voted prize, given by the crews of all participating vessels. That makes it deeply meaningful: a recognition not just of performance, but of attitude, collaboration, hospitality, and contribution to the broader goals of sail training.

For Shabab Oman II to win this trophy in 2025 speaks volumes about the impression the crew made on their international counterparts. From shared meals and musical performances to collaborative sailing drills and social events, the Omanis evidently embodied openness, friendliness, and a genuine willingness to connect.

Naval Diplomacy in the Age of Soft Power

Sail training ships are becoming an increasingly important part of naval diplomacy. In an era where strategic messaging and cultural presence are as critical as military hardware, countries like Oman are leveraging vessels like Shabab Oman II for global influence. These ships operate as ambassadors in foreign waters, attending maritime festivals, international fleet reviews, and port visits that bridge distances between cultures.

Oman has historically maintained a posture of neutrality and diplomacy in the Gulf region. Its maritime outreach reflects this ethos—emphasizing peace, friendship, and cooperation. Whether docked in a European port or sailing alongside NATO vessels, Shabab Oman II quietly reinforces Oman’s foreign policy values.

Strengthening Oman’s Maritime Legacy

Oman’s deep connection with the sea is centuries old. From its legendary sailors who reached East Africa and the Indian subcontinent to its trading dhows that ruled the monsoon routes, Oman has always had saltwater in its veins. The creation of Shabab Oman II continues this legacy with modern purpose.

By investing in a state-of-the-art tall ship and maintaining a rigorous program of sail training and international engagement, Oman is keeping its maritime identity alive—not as a relic of the past, but as a living, evolving element of national strength.

The ship’s participation in Tall Ships Races over the years has built bridges with ports across Europe, South Asia, and even Latin America. Each voyage adds a chapter to Oman’s maritime story, with cadets returning not just as trained sailors but as cultural ambassadors.

Training the Next Generation of Naval Leaders

Shabab Oman II is more than a symbol; it is also a school. Cadets who train aboard the ship go through a rigorous program of discipline, seamanship, teamwork, and leadership. Working the rigging, managing the sails, understanding wind and weather, and living in close quarters with an international crew all contribute to shaping character.

This holistic training model—melding technical skill with human development—has become an admired framework among naval and civilian maritime institutions alike. Oman’s emphasis on combining tradition with innovation is evident in how the ship is operated and in the values it seeks to instill.

Many of the cadets who graduate from Shabab Oman II go on to take leading roles in the Royal Navy of Oman, the merchant fleet, or other maritime sectors. Others serve as cultural liaisons or continue into international maritime education. In every case, they carry with them a deep understanding of Omani heritage and global cooperation.

The Global Reaction: Admiration and Respect

News of Shabab Oman II winning the Friendship Trophy has been warmly received in the international maritime community. Naval attachés, sailing organizations, port authorities, and maritime media have praised Oman’s commitment to youth training and cultural diplomacy.

It’s particularly noteworthy that a Gulf nation—more often seen in headlines related to oil and geopolitics—is being recognized for excellence in a peaceful, heritage-rich discipline like traditional sail training. The message is clear: Oman is charting its own course in how it engages with the world.

With many naval powers reducing their investment in traditional sail training ships due to budget constraints or modernization priorities, Oman’s consistent support for Shabab Oman II stands as a beacon of intent.

Oman’s Strategic Vision

Winning the 2025 Friendship Trophy is not the end of the journey—it’s a milestone in a broader strategic vision. Oman’s naval leadership has indicated plans to expand maritime outreach, possibly increasing the number of international voyages, forming training partnerships with other navies, and enhancing port engagement activities.

There is also discussion within regional maritime circles about Oman leading a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative to revive traditional sailing as a regional heritage project—something Shabab Oman II would be perfectly positioned to spearhead.

In an age when technology often outpaces tradition, Oman is proving that the two can sail together. The ship’s combination of elegance, discipline, and human connection continues to inspire both young Omanis and their international peers.

A Symbol Beyond Sails

What makes Shabab Oman II’s achievement particularly profound is the convergence of so many narratives: youth empowerment, global friendship, soft power diplomacy, and cultural preservation. In a world strained by conflict, climate challenges, and division, the idea of a sailing ship bringing people together feels almost poetic.

But it’s not just poetry. It’s strategy. It’s vision. It’s Oman making a statement not with weapons, but with wind, wood, and waves.

As the Shabab Oman II sails home with the Friendship Trophy on board, it carries more than just a medal—it carries hope. Hope that nations can connect on the strength of heritage, that the sea can still be a place of peace, and that the next generation can steer the world toward collaboration, not conflict.

In every port it visits and every sail it hoists, Shabab Oman II is not just a ship—it’s a story, and the world is listening.

Oman, Sail Training Ship