Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has inspected over 40 oil bowsers used in the capital city, following the T-Jetty fire that involved a speedboat and an oil bowser.

MNDF’s Fire and Rescue Service examined a total of 42 oil bowsers, under a special programme held from 2-3 October.

MNDF said that out of the 42, license of 30 were revoked for not meeting safety standards, and 11 were re-approved after fixing minor issues.

Some issues noted during the inspection include lack of fire extinguishers and poor condition of vehicles.

MNDF began examining the oil bowsers in Malé City following the T-Jetty fire on September 30, which the planning ministry said took place while an oil bowser was illegally being used as a tanker.

The ministry, after discussions with other relevant authorities, listed out regulations for fuel suppliers and security services.

These regulations prohibit the parking of oil bowsers anywhere other than the authorized area and compels suppliers to meet safety standards. It also tasks Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) with monitoring the safety measures in the area, while Maldives Police Service (MPS) and Malé City Council have been tasked with monitoring the area and ensuring that the fuel suppliers follow regulations.

It also ordered the transport ministry to halt the registration of any additional oil bowsers.

While authorities plan to move oil bowsers to Thilafushi island or Gulhi Falhu, the ministry has assigned an area in the industrial zone located in southern-Malé for fuel suppliers to park their oil bowsers, until the move is finalized.