Govt Issues Seafarer Identity Documents to 200, Reviving Maritime Sector Under President Muizzu’s Leadership

The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has announced a decisive step in reviving the Maldivian maritime sector, confirming that 200 seafarers have received Seafarer Identity Documents (SIDs) since 24 June 2024.

The measure closes a regulatory gap that endured for nearly a decade, constraining employment prospects for the nation’s maritime workforce. In a publication released this week, the ministry detailed reforms achieved over the past two years, crediting the initiative to a directive led by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

The SID, required under the International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention since 2016, had not been issued to Maldivian seafarers until mid‑2024. Without it, many were barred from securing positions aboard international liner vessels, according to the ministry.

Issuance began on 24 June 2024, with documents meeting standards recognised by both the International Maritime Organization and the ILO. Two hundred seafarers have since obtained the credential. Officials expect the measure to expand employment opportunities on foreign vessels and create new avenues for income.

Alongside the SID rollout, the ministry has introduced Certificates of Competency (CoC) to broaden career pathways within the sector. The programme targets individuals working on cargo vessels in the Near Coastal Area.

Applicants who complete Certificate III in Marine Operations or Certificate III in Marine Engineering are eligible to receive a CoC after passing an oral examination. Fourteen Deck CoC certificates have been issued over the past two years. Officials note that the credential enables Maldivian seafarers to qualify for officer positions aboard vessels serving coastal ports.

The absence of the SID had far‑reaching consequences. Internationally, some countries refused entry to Maldivian seafarers without the document, resulting in deportations and, in certain cases, fines. Domestically, the impact was severe. By late 2023, recruitment companies had ceased offering jobs to Maldivians, triggering significant losses across the workforce.

The Transport Ministry affirmed that these challenges have now been resolved. Officials underscored that the coordinated effort, initiated under the leadership of President Muizzu, has restored vitality to a sector long in decline.