An agreement has been signed with a Malaysian company to establish ice plants in 11 islands, aimed at facilitating easier access to ice for fishermen.
The Fisheries Ministry awarded the project to Altus Oil & Gas, a Malaysian firm.
According to the Ministry, the project involves the installation of a 30-tonne ice plant on each of the designated islands. Additionally, each facility will include a 50-tonne ice storage unit.
The ice plants are to be established in Haa Alif Dhidhdhoo, Haa Dhaal Kulhudhuffushi, Shaviyani Komandoo, Alif Alif Rasdhoo, Kaafu Gaafaru, Meemu Mulah, Dhaalu Hulhudheli, Gaaf Alif Nilandhoo, Gaaf Alif Villingili, Gaaf Alif Maamendhoo, and Gaaf Dhaal Rathafandhoo. However, the government has not disclosed the total cost of the project.
The contractor, Altus Oil & Gas, is a provider of marine and logistics services. The company serves major global energy firms, including Malaysia’s Petronas.
Altus is also recognised for its expertise in marine engineering and advanced brine cooling systems.
The expansion of land-based ice plants contradicts the government's previously stated policy. The administration’s initial goal was to reduce reliance on shore-based ice facilities.
Early last year, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam informed the People’s Majlis that work was progressing rapidly to install Refrigerated Sea Water (RSW) systems on vessels over 50 feet using government-provided facilities.
"I hope all Maldivian vessels utilise this facility. Travelling for ice is a significant expense, especially the expenditure on fuel," Shiyam stated at the time.
Shiyam further noted that once these systems are installed across the entire fishing fleet, the fishing fleet would no longer depend on land-based ice plants.
