Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has stated that maritime activities conducted in the Maldives’ economic zone should benefit the state. The Minister revealed this during a special interview given to PSM News, where he shed light on the work being done to advance the maritime sector. The government is working to expand services in the maritime sector, which is overseen by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, and to increase revenue from this sector. Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen said that activities are taking place within the country’s economic zone without any benefit to the state. The Minister said this is happening due to changes made to regulations in recent years.
“That is (STS) ship-to-ship transfer of oil and gas, activities conducted within the country’s economic zone. However, due to changes made to regulations in recent times, the state doesn’t receive much benefit. It’s set up in a way that benefits the private parties that handle it,” the Minister said. Minister Ameen believes that if such activities are conducted in the Maldives’ economic zone, they should benefit the state. Therefore, he said that work is being done in collaboration with relevant institutions to identify what can be done in this regard. “We believe that in this matter, private parties, those with the know-how to do this, the Ministry, Coast Guard, MPL, and all these parties together – I have now started an effort to see what benefits STS can bring to this country. God willing, we will also expedite this and establish principles that will benefit the country,” said the Transport Minister.
While ship refueling activities are being conducted within the Maldives’ economic zone, the government has also started bunkering services to provide fuel needed for cargo ships. In this regard, low sulfur oil is being provided through STO, and so far, this has generated 124 million rufiyaa, as revealed by the government.
