Abdul Aziz Al Suwaiji

Oman's 19th century maritime innovator who modernized Arab shipbuilding

Abdul Aziz Al Suwaiji (1810-1887) was a visionary Omani shipbuilder whose designs revolutionized Arabian maritime trade. Born in the coastal town of Sur, he combined traditional dhow-building techniques with European engineering principles. His 1842 creation of the 'Al-Misbah' dhow type incorporated iron reinforcements and square rigging, increasing cargo capacity by 300%. Learn about his ships.

Al Suwaiji's innovations enabled Omani merchants to compete with European vessels in the Indian Ocean trade. He established the first shipyard with written technical manuals, creating apprenticeship programs that trained over 500 artisans. His 1865 book Modern Shipbuilding Principles became a standard reference across the Gulf region. Official heritage site.