By Yahya Al Salmani — MUSCAT:Dec. 6: Curtains came down on the seminar on Sohar vessel journey to Canton Port in China, held under the theme, ‘Indications and Forecast’, on Tuesday. The seminar, organised by the Minister of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, discussed Omani-Chinese relations through history and shed light on the challenges faced by the Sohar vessel crew. It concluded with several recommendations. Participants suggested construction of a special hall in Omani museums comprising all voyage documentation and materials. They recommended a documentary film, to be translated in many languages, on the voyage. The establishment of a website containing photographs and information in both Arabic and English was also suggested.
There were recommendations for throwing more light on the translation of Sohar vessel voyage book. They suggested boosting of Omani-Chinese relations through trade and tourism. Dr Thomas A Vosmer, Maritime Archaeologist (Australia), presented a talk titled, ‘The Construction of the Sewn Ship Sohar’. He said that on January 1, 1980, the keel of what would be the sewn-plank ship Sohar, was laid down in Sur. Some 25 metres long, the ship would probably be the largest sewn vessel built in centuries. A team of expert shipwrights and rope workers had been recruited to shape and assemble the vessel.
Dr Ding Long, who represents the Department of Arabic Studies in the School of Foreign Studies at the University of International Business and Economics of Beijing, said Sohar voyage from Muscat to Quanzhou is a historic landmark in the China-Arab relations in general and Oman-China relations in particular. Dr Tim Severin, captain of Sohar vessel, spoke about the challenges and secrets. The Sohar vessel voyage was sponsored by the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture under the direction of HH Sayyid Faisal, and with the approval of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos.
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