The Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has signed an agreement with the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to launch development efforts for the first phase of the Integrated National Public Ferry Network.

The first phase of the Integrated National Public Ferry Network is set to link the atolls of Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu and Shaviyani via a high-speed ferry network by November 2021.

The total investment for this project is worth MVR 157 million. The Maldivian government has pledged MVR 52 million as an initial investment to begin work on the project.

Director General of the Planning Department Mohamed Imaad signed the agreement on behalf of the Ministry of Planning, with MTCC Chief Executive Officer Shahid Hussain signing on behalf of the company.

The Integrated National Public Ferry Network will consist of passenger and cargo ferry services to all the administrative islands of the country, with the Ministry of Planning having identified six central regions which will link maritime, land transport and air transport, through highway, commute and non-commute links as identified in the National Spatial Plan (2020-2040).

The commute links of the Ferry Network will be dedicated to connect regional islands to allow convenience for citizens traveling short distances for work and essential needs. Non-commute links are to connect islands with long-distance transport services, and highway links will essentially be ferries that link different regions of the country through high-speed ferry transport networks.

The second aspect covered under the Integrated National Public Ferry Network would be high-speed launches that carry cargo and goods, by connecting all islands of a region to the nearest commercial hub.