RaajjeMV has learned that no ships have been refueled yet, despite bunkering services having been launched 10 days ago.
International bunkering services were officially launched in the Maldives on September 19 during a grand ceremony held in Hoarafushi island of Haa Alif atoll.
While the government claims that international bunkering services have begun in the Maldives, an anonymous source has revealed that no foreign vessels have refueled, so far.
Nothing has happened yet, the people brought for this are still just waiting. No ships have been refueled.”Anonymous source.
The day bunkering services were launched, fuel was supplied to ‘YC Barrier’, a vessel used by Maldives State Shipping (MSS) to transport cargo between Malé and neighboring Sri Lanka’s Colombo, for demonstration purposes during the official launching ceremony.
These vessels received water salutes as they were the first vessels provided the service to mark the launch.
According to the government, the bunkering services are being provided through a collaboration between the State Trading Organization (STO) and the globe’s largest energy company, Vitol.
The government brought two vessels to provide this service; the 3,258-tonne ‘MT Marine Angel’ and the 3,929-tonne ‘MT Marine Bella’.
Alongside bunkering services, the government has stated that other services such as crew changes, provision and ship stores supply, and freshwater supply would also be provided.
Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed earlier stated that the incumbent administration’s goal is to generate approximately USD 400 million in revenue from bunkering services.
However, since the government has failed to publicly disclose any information about the agreement signed between Vitol and STO, experts have raised questions about how such profits could be generated for the island nation.
STO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vitol to operate international bunkering services in the atoll, on 13 March 2024.
In addition to bunkering services, the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) gate, which provides maritime services, was opened in Uligan island of Haa Alif atoll on September 18.
