As part of efforts to bring a revolutionary change to the Maldives' maritime sector, preparations have been completed to launch bunkering services in the country for the first time.
This service is provided jointly by the State Trading Organization (STO) and Maldives Ports Limited (MPL). STO will provide offshore bunkering services, which involves selling fuel. MPL will provide the maritime services required by customers or vessels receiving the service.
Looking at STO's preparations for this, the company signed an MOU on March 13, 2024, with Vitol, the world's largest private energy trading company. The Maldives is now included on the map of Vitol Bunkers, which provides extensive ship refueling services in various parts of the world.
To start offshore bunkering services in Ihavandhippolhu, STO has brought in two vessels capable of carrying approximately 4,000 tonnes of fuel. The first of these vessels, "Marine Angel," docked in Kulhudhuffushi on the 9th of this month. The second vessel, "Marine Bella," docked in Kulhudhuffushi on the 13th of this month. STO stated that under the initial international bunkering service, they will first start floating bunkering services. This means refueling vessels while they are at sea.
To commence the bunkering service, MPL has taken a tugboat and a pilot boat to Ihavandhippolhu. MPL stated that the International Ship and Port Security Gate (ISPS Gate), a requirement for providing international bunkering services, has been established, and all preparations to start the bunkering service have been completed. Accordingly, the necessary staff have been recruited, and all administrative tasks have been fulfilled. MPL stated that personnel from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), Immigration, Customs, and Port Health will be active at the site.
To ensure clarity on the bunkering service starting in the north of the Maldives and other maritime services ready to be provided from that region, MPL has also created a dedicated website. This is ums.mv / Uthuru Maritime Services. All relevant information has now been uploaded to the website.
Along with the bunkering service, MPL is also prepared to provide an additional 14 services to international customers should they require them. A call center that will respond 24 hours a day has also been established to provide these services.
Services provided by MPL to international vessels include pilot services, crew change services, supplying clean water and food to vessels, supplying lubricants, maintenance services, and marine surveillance services.
The bunkering service is now scheduled to begin on the 19th of this month. A customer to sell fuel to or a vessel to refuel on that day has also been arranged.
