The launch of bunkering services, scheduled to begin on Thursday at Haa Alifu (HA.) Atoll, has been postponed to September.
Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed, speaking during the Maldives-Szechuan Trade and Investment Cooperation Conference held on 6 August, committed to the 22 August launch date, highlighting that it would be the first step in the administration’s efforts to expand the maritime industry.
This is the fourth time that the launch has been delayed. Saeed, initially in February, had stated that services would launch in two or three weeks, after which he pushed back the launch to July.
The most recent delay was attributed to the current lack of two key vessels needed to initiate the service. Mohamed Wajeeh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the state owned Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), speaking to Television Maldives (TVM) on 8 August, had said that the vessels would arrive in the Maldives on 22 August.
While the State Trading Organization (STO) is set to run the bunkering services, MPL has been tasked with carrying out the essential work at Uligan Island in HA. Atoll before the service is launched.
While no exact date was given, an official at STO confirmed that the launch had been delayed till September, with an administration source confirming that the first of the two vessels will arrive on site on 27 August, with the second expected to arrive on 11 September.
The key works needed at HA. Uligan, all of which were expected to be completed on 21 August according to MPL, included the construction of facilities for the army, immigration, customs, and port health personnel.
Vitol, a Switzerland-based Dutch multinational energy company with a proven track record in the sector, is set to provide bunkers and tugs, which will be supplied with fuel by STO. Vitol, shortly upon signing a term sheet with STO, updated their bunkers map to include the Maldives.
STO will initially deploy two 4,000 metric tonne bunkers, sources say.
According to the Muizzu administration, starting next year, bunkering services will bring in US$400 million into the Maldives annually.