Jewel of Muscat

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo first proposed this joint project to the Omani Minister of Commerce and Industry, Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan, and Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, during his visit to Oman in 2006. The Omani Ministers readily agreed to Minister’s proposal. Singapore and Oman signed a Memorandum of Intent in 2007 to collaborate on this joint project.

The joint project was to be an historic undertaking. It involved the construction of a replica of a 9th Century Arabian ship carrying Chinese artefacts (“Tang Shipwreck Treasure”), which had been salvaged off Belitung Island in the Java Sea in 1998. The ship would sail from Oman to Singapore where, it would remain, completing the story of the Belitung shipwreck.

The ship, named “The Jewel of Muscat” by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos of Oman, was constructed in Qantab, Oman, between October 2008 and October 2009 using traditional techniques and materials. It will be a gift from Sultan Qaboos to the people of Singapore.

Using 9th Century navigational techniques, the ship will retrace part of the Maritime Silk Route. The ship set sail from Oman on 16 February 2010 and is expected to arrive in Singapore by June-July 2010. The boat arrived at its first port of call, Cochin, on 15 March 2010.

The website of the Jewel of Muscat (www.jewelofmuscat.tv) was launched during the State Visit of President S R Nathan to Oman in March 2009.

SM Goh Chok Tong attended the naming ceremony of the Jewel of Muscat during his official visit to Oman in February 2010.

SMS Zainul Abidin Rasheed attended the departure ceremony of the Jewel of Muscat on 16 February 2010, as well as its arrival ceremony in Cochin a month later, on 15 March 2010.

The Tang Shipwreck Treasure comprises 53,227 pieces of exquisitely preserved Chinese artefacts. The collection has been acquired by Singapore.

Press Clippings

Press Releases

• MFA Press Release: Speech and comment to media by Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed at The Jewel Of Muscat Welcome Ceremony, 17 March 2010 at the Kochi Port Trust Complex, Kochi, India - 18/3/2010
• MFA Press Statement: Visit of Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed to Kochi to attend the Welcome Ceremony for the arrival of The Jewel Of Muscat, on 17 March 2010 - 16/3/2010
• MFA Press Release: Message from Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo to Captain Saleh Said Al Jabri and the Crew of The Jewel Of Muscat - 16/3/2010
• MFA Press Statement: Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed calls on the Governor of Dhofar, Sultanate of Oman, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammad Al Maamri, 17 February 2010 - 17/2/2010
• MFA Press Statement: Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed represents Singapore at the Send-Off Ceremony for The Jewel Of Muscat, Oman, 16 February 2010 - 16/2/2010
• MFA Press Statement: Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed to represent Singapore at the Send-Off Ceremony for The Jewel Of Muscat, Oman, 16 February 2010 - 15/2/2010
• SM Goh's visit to the Sultanate of Oman - 2/2/2010
• Speech By Senior Minister Of State For Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed At The Conference Of Asia-Middle East Research Institutes At Shangri-La Hotel On 5 July 2009 - 6/7/2009
• MFA Press Statement: State Visits by President S R Nathan to the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, 12 - 24 March 2009 - 12/3/2009

• The New Paper on Sunday: Blast from the Past - 11/7/2010
• The Straits Times Forum: Omani gift - 9/7/2010
• Lianhe Zaobao: A symbol of friendship: The Jewel of Muscat is officially transferred to Singapore (Google Translated) - 6/7/2010
• Channel NewsAsia: Jewel of Muscat stops over at Port Klang - 23/6/2010
• Channel NewsAsia: Jewel of Muscat to arrive in Singapore on 3 July - 14/6/2010
• The Newpaper: The Sewn Ship (Infographics Feature) - 30/5/2010
• Berita Harian: Jewel of Muscat: Penang - 20/5/2010
• The Straits Times: Jewel of the Sea (3D Infographic Feature) - 12/5/2010
• Channel News Asia: Jewel of Muscat arrives in Galle, Sri Lanka - 19/4/2010
• The Straits Times: Lessons from Oman - 17/3/2010
• Channel News Asia: Jewel of Muscat's journey an inspiration to all who share hopes of new Asia - 16/3/2010
• The Straits Times: President Visits Gulf Region - 16/3/2010
• Channel News Asia: Jewel of Muscat has set sail on its voyage to S'pore, expected here in July - 16/2/2010
• Channel News Asia: Jewel of Muscat gets ready to sail on Tuesday - 15/2/2010
• Channel News Asia: Jewel of Muscat more than a powerful symbol of Oman-Singapore ties - 2/2/2010
• The Straits Times: Oman's gift to Singapore - 2/2/2010
• Channel News Asia: Singapore exploring best way to exhibit Jewel of Muscat - 1/2/2010
• Channel News Asia: Oman Satisfied with growth of Singapore ties - 31/1/2010

Website of the Jewel of Muscat Project
http://www.jewelofmuscat.tv

Educational site of the Jewel of Muscat
http://education.jewelofmuscat.tv

Minister George Yeo's speech at the launch of "Rihlah - Arabs in Southeast Asia" exhibition and conference, 10 April 2010
http://www.viddler.com/explore/mfasingapore/videos/29/

Remarks by Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo at Gala Dinner hosted for Jewel of Muscat Crew Members at Asian Civilisations Museum on 5 July 2010
http://beyondsg.typepad.com/beyondsg/2010/07/remarks-by-minister-for-foreign-affairs-george-yeo-at-gala-dinner-hosted-for-jewel-of-muscat-crew-me.html