World's largest floating book fair docks in Oman

With more than 7,000 titles on board, the Logos Hope is a floating Christian charity staffed by 400 volunteers from nearly fifty countries. Run by the charity Operation Mobilisation, the ship sails around the world, docking in different countries.Visitors can browse or buy books to improve their knowledge, says Jesse Lopo, the ship's public relations officer, who adds: "For the purpose of the Logos Hope we say that we bring knowledge, help and hope. That's what we do in each country we visit. Knowledge is mostly through the books, being able to share knowledge through words."

The Logos Hope is part of a fleet of Christian-run ships, selling a wide variety of educational, secular and Christian books. The Ships work began in 1970 and since then the floating vessels have visited over 450 different ports in over 150 countries and welcomed 37 million people on board.

The crew also organises many cultural events for visitors to familiarise them with civilizations of the world and different cultures. Omani Malik bin Isa al-Rashidi said the experience had been enriching.

"The exhibition is wonderful, it contains much more than expected. There are all kinds of books for students, and it reflects the cultures of other peoples," he said.

The Logos Hope is currently wending its way through the Middle East and it's been five years since the ship last dropped anchor in Oman.