The national shipping company, Maldives State Shipping (MSS), has signed an agreement to purchase a container ship to facilitate the direct delivery of goods from foreign ports to Addu City.
The vessel, named MSS Opal, can carry a total of 105 containers including 20 reefer containers and is equipped with a crane. It also has special facilities to carry cement and sand.
After signing the agreement, MSS said the ship will be able to transport goods from international markets to Addu after transiting in Male'. Goods bought from Male' can also be containerized and transported to Addu.
MSS previously used a ship called "Bonthi" to transport goods between Male' and Addu. The boat was acquired with the assistance of the Indian government, but its use has been discontinued after the contract period expired.
The signing ceremony.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, MSS Managing Director Captain Mohamed Nazim said the new ship was acquired after learning from the experience of operating "Bonthi".
"[Maldivian ports] don't usually have a crane. This ship will have a crane to load and unload cargo," Nazim said.
MSS decided to operate the cargo boat to solve the difficulties in transporting goods between Addu and Male'. The company hopes that with the arrival of the new ship, market prices of goods will stabilize.
MSS Opal will operate every 10 days on the Male', Hithadhoo, Kooddoo and Male' routes. MSS said the ship will be opened for booking as soon as it arrives and container fares will be announced.
This is the fifth ship acquired by MSS. The company already operates four other ships to Colombo, Tuticorin and Dubai.
