In a targeted effort to expand regional processing capacity and support local fishing communities, the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources has signed an agreement with SJ Construction Private Limited to construct a 200 metric ton cold storage facility in Th. Hirilandhoo.
The contract was formally signed on behalf of the government by State Minister for Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Mohamed Muthalib. The development is being executed under the Private Sector Initiative (PSI) model, designed to build decentralized processing and storage infrastructure across Maldivian islands.
The comprehensive project covers complete site development and a specialized facility setup. Core components include the 200-ton main cold storage, a 10-ton blast freezer, a zero-degree Celsius anteroom, a dedicated fish processing floor, and a compressor room. To ensure seamless operation, SJ Construction will also install full electrical grid connections, a backup generator, fire safety systems, and Extra Low Voltage (ELV) networks.
Hirilandhoo, home to 1,146 residents, is a major fishing hub in Thaa Atoll. Local vessels land an average of 30 tons of fish daily during standard operations, with figures climbing past 50 tons per day during peak harvest seasons. The island also supports a vibrant local processing sector, with over 10 active small businesses engaged in fish cooking, drying, and value-added production.
According to state fisheries firm MIFCO, the new complex will directly address key operational challenges for the island. By establishing cold chain infrastructure at the point of landing, the facility will preserve catch freshness over longer periods and provide local processors with a consistent year-round supply of raw material, helping community businesses expand production and distribution to broader markets.
