The Economic Ministry has made an announcement to begin port and bunkering services in Laamu Fonadhoo.

The ministry said the government will meet those who submit the Expression of Interest (EOI) to provide further information on the project.

The deadline for submission of EOI is August 7. All documents should be submitted in PDF format to [email protected].

Under this project, an oil storage facility, offshore or floating tank and marine support facilities must be established in Fonadhoo.

In addition, facilities must be developed to provide fuel services to vessels transiting the port and establish utilities and service facilities.

Meanwhile, the transshipment port project in Gaadhoo awarded to a Chinese company has not been transferred to India.

Maldives and India agreed to work together to develop the transshipment ports at Gaadhoo and Ihavandhippolhu during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's visit to India in October last year.

However, an MoU was signed with China's CAMCE Company Limited on April 11, 2024 to establish an integrated maritime hub in Gaadhoo.

The government announced in April that it would develop a transshipment port, a cruise terminal, a yacht marina and an eco-resort at the Gaadhoo Integrated Maritime Hub.

The Maldives Industrial Development Free Zone (MIDFZ) is tasked with developing the Ihavandhippolhu area as a Special Economic Zone and the Maldives Economic Gateway.

The development of transshipment ports in the south and the north of the country is a presidential pledge.