Abu Musa set to host cruise ship under new tourism plan
The governor of Abu Musa, Hormozgan Province, announced plans to establish a maritime route for a leisure cruise vessel to the island, describing the move as an effective step toward revitalizing maritime tourism and promoting economic development on Abu Musa and other strategic islands.
Speaking to IRNA, Ahmad Banafi said that following months of joint meetings with the private sector, the necessary agreements have been reached to deploy a cruise ship aimed at developing maritime tourism in the Persian Gulf, with a focus on Abu Musa, IRNA wrote.
He added that administrative procedures and the issuance of required permits are currently underway, noting that the vessel’s first trial voyage is expected to take place before March 21, sailing from Bushehr to Abu Musa and Kish.
Banafi said that following the trial voyage, planning will be finalized to schedule at least one weekly trip to Abu Musa. He emphasized that developing tourism on the island and its surrounding islands is a key priority for local officials and is being pursued with determination.
Referring to the ship’s technical and hospitality capabilities, the governor said the vessel is equipped with hotel-style accommodations and standard passenger services, enabling it to play an important role in showcasing Abu Musa’s natural attractions and expanding maritime tourism in the region.
He noted that the ship is fitted with two ramps at the bow and stern, giving it a special roll-on/roll-off cargo–passenger function. This allows freight trucks to drive onto the vessel under their own power at the departure port and disembark the same way at the destination.
According to Banafi, the vessel is 145 meters long and powered by four engines with a combined output of 27,560 kilowatts, enabling a cruising speed of 24 knots.
Highlighting its passenger capacity, he said the ship can carry up to 1,700 passengers across five different classes, ranging from economy seating using shared public spaces to luxury cabins with direct sea views. In total, 250 cabins with more than 581 beds are distributed across multiple decks and categorized according to service level and location.
He added that the ship’s second and third decks are designed to accommodate up to 700 passenger vehicles, a capacity expected to significantly facilitate maritime transport and strengthen trade and tourism exchanges involving Abu Musa.
The city of Abu Musa comprises five inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, with Abu Musa Island serving as the administrative center. The island is located approximately 220 kilometers from Bandar Abbas, the capital of Hormozgan
Province.