Government threatens penalization if prices are increased

The Ministry of Economic Affairs has threatened to penalize any businesses that increase prices of their goods as a direct result of the government’s restriction on cargo delivery in Malé.

The ministry made this announcement on Tuesday, following copious amounts of concerns last week from merchants and cargo carriers even doubling the price of their services after a strike.

Merchants and cargo carriers have expressed concern about the logistical difficulties that having to conduct delivery and stocking operations during the night and early morning presents.

The carriers who manage containers – lashing, stripping, and handling of cargo in them – were on strike on Monday and decided to return to work, having doubled the price.

While they previously lash, strip, and handle cargo in 20-foot containers for MVR 2,500 (about USD 162) they will now charge MVR 6,000 (about USD 389) for a container of this size.

Similarly, while they previously manage cargo in 40-foot containers for MVR 5,000 (about USD 324) they will now charge MVR 12,000 (about USD 778) for this service.

As per the new regulations, imposed in order to relieve the traffic situation in Maldives’ highly congested and densely populated capital, deliveries can only be made from 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM.

Delivery of gas cylinders, used for cooking, can still be made from 08:30 AM to 11:00 AM every day, and cargo en route to outlying islands can be taken from the outlet of purchase onto the vessel.