Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail has stated that the government plans to introduce services for cargo ships travelling in the northernmost region. He made the statement in a letter sent to the Parliament of the Maldives to answer inquiries on the progress of the transshipment port development project in Haa Alifu Atoll.
In the letter, Minister Fayyaz said the ministry plans to introduce services for cargo ships until the transshipment port is developed in the northernmost region. He said that the ministry is in the process of amending the relevant policies in order to introduce the services. He said crew changing and bunkering will be the first services to be introduced, noting that State Trading Organisation (STO) is obtaining investments and signing agreements with oil companies to commence the bunkering service.
Additionally, Minister Fayyaz said that the cargo ship service facility will need to fit the standards set by the International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) Code. He also said that the ministry is holding discussions with the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) to establish a facility that would have adequate space for docking and shelter during rainy weather.
Furthermore, Minister Fayyaz said that the cargo ship services will be introduced after the development of a port city in the northernmost region, adding that the crew changing and bunkering services will be based in the port city. He said the government is currently focused on reclaiming land for the port city project.
The government is seeking parties to develop an international transshipment port in Haa Alifu Atoll under a public-private partnership. The port is being developed to cater to the largest cargo ships in the world, with a handling capacity of 1.8 million containers per year, and an investment of USD466 million will be needed for the project.