Fuel Supply Maldives (FSM) sheds established in the northern atolls will begin supplying subsidized diesel to fishing vessels.
Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam confirmed to "Keyolha" that starting tomorrow, arrangements have been made for fishing vessels to purchase diesel at subsidized rates from FSM fuel sheds in the northern atolls.
Speaking at a press conference held today at the President's Office by the special cabinet committee formed by the President in response to the Middle East war situation, Minister Shiyam stated that government-subsidized fuel is not currently available in all regions of the Maldives and that there are difficulties in obtaining subsidized fuel. Looking at the northern region, government-subsidized fuel is currently only available from MIFCO's Felivaru Fisheries Complex. To resolve this, under the work being done with STO, arrangements have been made for fishing vessels to receive subsidized fuel from FSM sheds established in HA, HDh, and Sh atolls, the Minister said. He added that discussions with STO have also secured arrangements for fuel to be available in the central and southern atolls where it is currently unavailable.
Minister Shiyam said that despite the war situation, one thing the government ensures is that fishermen will go out to sea. As such, arrangements are currently being made to supply diesel to fishing vessels without interruption. Although there have been some delays in supplying diesel due to logistical issues in some cases, the Minister assured that fishermen will receive fuel without any difficulties. He stated that fuel is being supplied to fishermen under a specific policy during this situation, and even in this war situation, over 1.1 million liters of fuel have been supplied at the government's subsidized rate to 958 vessels on various occasions so far.
Highlighting the government's efforts to resolve the difficulties faced by yellowfin tuna fishermen in obtaining fuel, the Minister said that yellowfin tuna vessels weighing fish at MIFCO facilities are currently being supplied with fuel at the subsidized rate, just like skipjack tuna vessels. Since yellowfin tuna fishing activities are mostly concentrated in the Male' region, arrangements are being made to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply for yellowfin tuna fishermen from Hulhumale and Himmafushi.
In his remarks, the Minister assured that a system will be established to ensure fishermen receive diesel without difficulty even during the war situation.
