105-container ship for MSS to link Addu with foreign ports

The national shipping company, Maldives State Shipping (MSS), signed an agreement on Thursday to purchase the MSS Opal vessel to facilitate the import of goods from international ports to Addu.

MSS Opal

At the signing ceremony held on Thursday, MSS Managing Director Mohamed Nazim said the transshipment service with MSS Opal will start by the end of this month or early September.

In the first phase of the service, the vessel is scheduled to travel between Male and Addu. Once GDh. Thinadhoo port is completed, the second phase will also start ferrying goods to Thinadhoo port, he said. They are also planning to travel to Kulhudhuffushi in the second phase.

Nazim said the reasons for the cancellation of the MSS Bonthi and the lessons learned from the previous voyages were considered.

"We found a ship suitable for the ports of Maldives. The ship has to have a crane as many local ports do not have a crane," he said.

Nazim said MSS had to enter the transshipment service because the service is not available in Maldives.

"For example, containers are being carried in small boats. If the sea is rough, they are traveling dangerously. It is a risk not only to the boat but also to the goods," he said.

"When carrying goods or containers by boat, the biggest challenge for local businessmen is the high price. The cost of bringing goods is higher than the budget. Therefore, the prices of goods in Addu are also high. That will be solved".

In addition, the government's decentralisation policy and expansion of the southern economy are also aimed at providing equal opportunities to importers, Nazim said.

This is the company's fifth ship since MSS was launched in 2020.