KUWAIT: Shabab Oman II (Oman Youth II), the Royal Navy of Oman's latest sailing ship to train young sailors yesterday arrived at Shuwaikh Port as part of a world tour themed "Cooperation sail 2015." This is the second version of Shabab Oman that first sailed in 1979 on a world tour to promote peace, friendship and love among the world peoples, Omani Ambassador to Kuwait Hamid bin Said bin Salim Al Ibrahim said. The second vessel was built in the Netherlands as per the world-class standards to carry on with the peace and cooperation mission, he added.

Kuwait is the first leg of a Gulf tour as the ship will sail to the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, and it is due in Muscat on 10 November, Al Ibrahim said. With 90 personnel from the Omani and GCC navies on board, the vessel seeks to shed light on "Sultan Qaboos Sailing Award'" and Oman's maritime history.

For his part, Shabab Oman II captain Saif bin Nasser Al-Rahbi, expressed pleasure that Kuwait is the first leg of the regional, and the world tour, hoping it will achieve its aim of bolstering ties with the GCC as well as other countries. The vessel is known for having its own unique characteristics in terms of length, 86 meters compared to 52 for the 1st Shabab Oman vessel, he said. - KUNA