State Trading Organisation (STO) has brought a fuel barge to the Maldives for the first time to carry jet fuel.
The barge named ‘Laganaa’ will be used to supply jet fuel to Maafaru airport under an agreement between STO and Island Aviation.
‘Laganaa’ is a name which represents a heron-like bird. An official from STO said the barge was designed with the consultancy of German Hansa Consult Projects.
The barge fulfills all criteria for aviation fuel quality and has been commissioned with aviation industry filters as required in related quality assurance codes.
“This is a first for the Maldives. This barge has a capacity of 200 cubic meters and is equipped with modern measuring tools,” the official said.
The official claimed that the barge was designed to solve the problems faced when transporting aviation fuel to the atolls and that the crew have been trained in aviation fuel handling.
STO will operate the barge in accordance with industry best practice under a quality assurance system that will trace Jet A-1 oil from the refinery to the flight, the official said.
The official added that oil samples will be taken at each transfer point and tested at the laboratory set up by STO in Male’.
Translated by Saya Ahmed
