Bartholet builds Oman’s first ropeway: a spectacular tourism project setting new technical records
A new ropeway in the historic port city of Muttrah combines modern technology with exceptional design and unique views of the Gulf of Oman. With supports up to 87 metres high and a span of 690 metres, Swiss ropeway manufacturer Bartholet is setting new technical standards with this project.
With Oman’s first ropeway, the Swiss ropeway manufacturer Bartholet is delivering a flagship tourism project in the historic port city of Muttrah, not far from the capital, Muscat. The installation, which has now been officially approved, spans a total length of just under 2.7 kilometres, opening up one of the country’s most scenically impressive regions and connecting the port with the surrounding coastal and mountainous landscape. The project aims to further enhance Muttrah’s appeal to tourists and, in particular, to create a new range of experiences for the numerous cruise passengers. Thanks to a station situated right by the harbour, visitors can transfer directly from the cruise ship to the ropeway and discover the region from a completely new perspective.
A technical masterpiece overlooking the harbour of Muttrah
The new ropeway comprises two sections with a total length of around 2,697 metres. The first section is 1,518.6 metres long, and the second 1,178 metres. Together, the two sections cover a height difference of around 100 metres. A total of 18 cabins, each seating eight people, ensure a comfortable ride with spectacular views of the historic port city, the Gulf of Oman and the surrounding mountains.
Crossing the harbour area presented a particular technical challenge. With an impressive 690-metre-long span and two exceptionally tall pylons measuring 71 and 87 metres, Bartholet is setting new benchmarks in its own corporate history. These two structures are the tallest ropeway pylons the Swiss manufacturer has ever built. They enable the ropeway to span the port area over a considerable distance and, thanks to their striking design, make the ropeway a landmark visible from afar.
Exclusive cabin design by Studio F. A. Porsche
Alongside its technical features, the new ropeway also focuses on the passenger experience. The cabins were designed by the renowned Studio F. A. Porsche and combine high-quality design with comfort and functionality. In addition to the standard cabins, each of the two sections features a specially equipped VIP cabin, offering a particularly exclusive travel experience. This combination of innovative ropeway technology, sophisticated design and stunning scenery is creating a tourist attraction in Muttrah that goes far beyond its mere transport function. The new facility offers visitors a unique view of the interplay between traditional harbour architecture, the coastal landscape and Oman’s striking mountain ranges.
For Bartholet, the project underscores the company’s expertise in delivering technically sophisticated ropeway solutions in exceptional geographical and tourist settings. At the same time, the country’s first ropeway demonstrates the growing potential of modern ropeway systems as tourist attractions in their own right and as catalysts for the development of new destinations.
