Doha, May 27 (QNA) - Old Doha Port officially launched the enhanced Minakom digital platform, enabling owners of private yachts and boats to complete Qatar's entry procedures, such as passport control and customs clearance, entirely online without disembarking from their maritime vessels.

The platform, initially piloted during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, now allows maritime visitors to obtain all required permits, customs clearances, passport approvals, and port-entry authorizations, through a fully digitalized process.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Chief Executive Officer of Old Doha Port, Eng. Mohammed Abdulla Al Mulla, highlighted that this service marks a significant step in the digitization of the maritime navigation and sailing experience, reaffirming the Port’s regional leadership by fusing rich maritime heritage with cutting-edge digital innovation.

He added that this service positions the State of Qatar at the forefront as a premier maritime destination that embraces digital transformation as a cornerstone for advancing its vital sectors, including tourism, transport, and port services.

All that is required is to complete a form via the Port's official website. A port-certified logistics agent will handle all necessary procedures with the competent government authorities. This is a debut service in Qatar and stands among the region’s earliest digital government solutions for maritime vessels, Eng. Al Mulla noted.

Eng. Al Mulla indicated that the phased operationalization of this service during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, as part of its pilot launch, enabled real-time testing and refinement of the system under actual operating conditions.

Over the past two years, the service has been developed in close coordination with the competent government entities to ensure full alignment with the highest standards of efficiency and security. Today’s official launch reflects the Port’s readiness to scale this digital platform and reinforces Qatar’s standing at the pinnacle of smart maritime entry systems, he said.

  Al Mulla stated that since the initial rollout of the service over the past two years, entry and exit procedures for more than 250 maritime vessels have been completed online, a milestone that significantly enhanced the visitor experience and informed the system’s iterative development.

User feedback played a pivotal role in refining the platform to its current advanced form, which was officially announced as part of efforts to elevate the experience for visitors and tourists alike, he highlighted.

He described the service as a transformative milestone in Qatar’s digitalization drive, directly advancing the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly in economic development and infrastructure modernization, by digitizing maritime entry procedures and reinforcing the nation’s commitment to a smart, integrated digital framework.

Regarding the second Qatar Boat Show, scheduled for Nov. 5-8, Eng. Al Mulla noted that it will feature new elements aimed at ensuring success, adding that the Port’s recent hosting of diverse events, including the Qatar Boat Show, the Mina Pre-Owned Boat Exhibition, and the Marine Fishing Expo, has positioned it as a vibrant regional hub for maritime tourism.

The Port features a world-class marina comprising over 450 berthing sites, alongside Qatar’s largest dry dock facility for maritime vessels, encompassing over 250,000 square meter of landscaped green spaces and vibrant zones, including the Mina District and the Container Yard Plaza.

It has undergone a comprehensive transformation from a historic commercial port into a dynamic hub for maritime services, cultural programming, water sports, and community-driven events. (QNA)