Manama: Bader Hood Al Mahmood, Undersecretary for Ports and Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, announced that the ministry is continuing its efforts to modernize Bahrain's maritime services and accelerate digital transformation across the sector. The Small Vessels Registration Office has processed 8,729 transactions in the first half of 2026, showcasing the efficiency of its services for owners and operators of small vessels. According to Bahrain News Agency, Al Mahmood indicated that the number of registered small vessels in Bahrain reached 9,636 by the end of the first half of the year, with 8,814 valid operator licenses in force. These figures suggest sustained growth in maritime activity and stronger compliance with regulatory and safety requirements. During this period, the office registered 133 new vessels, renewed registrations for 1,366 vessels, issued and renewed 3,624 operator licenses, and conducted 1,499 technical inspections of boats and personal watercraf t to ensure they meet approved safety and technical standards. Al Mahmood highlighted that 60.6% of all transactions were completed through the Small Vessels Registration Portal. This reflects the ministry's progress in expanding digital services and enabling customers to access them remotely. The ministry is committed to upgrading the portal by streamlining procedures, improving the user experience, and introducing additional digital services to expedite processing, enhance service delivery, and strengthen integration with other government platforms. He emphasized that these accomplishments support the ministry's broader strategy to modernize Bahrain's maritime transport sector through digital innovation, enhance service quality, and reinforce the Kingdom's position as a leading regional maritime hub operating to international standards.
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