Addu port to transform into intl seafood hub, MPL chief says

The government will transform the loss-making port in the southernmost Addu atoll as an international seafood hub, MPL CEO Mohamed Wajeeh Ibrahim said Thursday.

Wajeeh was speaking at a special ceremony held in HA. Hoarafushi to launch an offshore bunkering service for international vessels traveling from the north across Maldives.

Speaking at the ceremony, Wajeeh said a “major change” was needed in the development of Addu and having a port was not enough. The port is now operating at a loss, he said.

"If the vessels calling for the port are not going, what is the point of a port? Both Addu and Kulhudhuffushi have had ports for 19 years. They are running at a loss at MPL's expense," he said.

Wajeeh said the aim of the government is to make the port of Addu a profitable place. He said there are plans to do so.

“We have been fishing around Addu for many years. We are importing all the seafood needed for all the resorts in Maldives,” he said.

"We are changing our mindset to establish an international seafood hub in Addu."

The idea came as Wajeeh said a study by a major relevant organisation in the world showed that Addu is the most important destination for an international fish hub in Asia.

He added that it is not enough to do one thing and the port will be shaped to take advantage of the opportunities available.

"For example, Chinese vehicles are brought in and assembled at the Hambantota port in neighbouring Sri Lanka. What if we do that in Addu?," he explained

Speaking about some of MPL's other activities, Wajeeh said:

Under the second phase of the bunkering service, which started on Thursday, the service will be further expanded by dredging land from Hoarafushi, Wajeeh said. Among them, there are plans to establish an oil and container terminal in the dredged area, he said.