MPL: All preparations to commence bunkering service completed

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL)’s CEO Mohamed Wajeeh, on Friday, said all preparations to commence offshore bunkering service in Ihavandhippolhu have now been completed.

The bunkering service – one of the biggest initiatives planned by the current administration to diversify the Maldivian economy – which his scheduled to be launched on September 20^th.

MPL’s CEO Wajeeh, via a post on Facebook on Friday, said the two boats required to commence bunkering service alongside the tug boat and pilot boat have all been transported to Ihavandhippolhu. He also noted that the International Ship and Port Security Gate (ISPS Gate) that is a requirement in the provision of such a service, has also been established.

Wajeeh emphasized that the bunkering project would bring a revolutionary change to the Maldivian economy.

“This is something that should have been done in this country but has yet to have been achieved by any government so far,” he added, while thanking President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu for implementing the project.

As per Waheed, an additional 14 services alongside bunkering service will be provided to customers at the region. This, as per Waheed, will pave the way for other companies and private individuals to earn income.

Under the second phase of the project, an oil terminal and oil tanks will be established at Ihavandhippolhu, he added.

Bunkering service was initially planned to commence in July. However, STO and MPL executed an agreement following which the date was moved back to Thursday, September 12^th.

STO, on Monday, said the date was moved back again in order to commence the service at a larger extent than previously planned.

Minister of Economic Development Mohamed Saeed earlier said the country's economy will get a significant boost once bunkering services commence.

He previously said that between 300 and 450 international commercial vessels travel across the northern Maldives channel every year. Saeed said providing bunkering services to even one percent of the vessels that traveled the channel would increase the Maldives GDP to USD 400 million in the first year alone.