4000 tonne cold storage project in Kooddoo launched

An agreement was signed on Thursday to develop a 4,000-tonne cold storage and power system in GA. Kooddoo.

This project is aimed at boosting the fishing sector and ensuring that fish preservation processes become more efficient and accessible.

The government has awarded the project to Lucky Global Projects, with the formal signing ceremony taking place at the President's Office. The agreement was signed by Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam and Managing Director of Lucky Global Projects, Ashish Oberoi.

The project, valued at MVR 6.6 million, is set to be completed within a timeframe of 365 days and is being supported by the Saudi Fund for Development.

During the ceremony, President Mohamed Muizzu handed over award letters to recipients providing funding under the Finance Facility aimed at equipping fishing boats with salt water freezing (RSW) systems. These systems are essential for maintaining the quality of the fish on board, helping to reduce the need for fishermen to travel long distances solely to obtain ice—a practice that has proven costly due to fuel expenses.

Shiyam highlighted that there are currently about 74 fishing boats equipped with the RSW system. He pointed out that fishermen often face significant fuel expenses when journeying to obtain ice, only to find the ice plants empty or malfunctioning upon arrival. The installation of salt water freezing systems on board would alleviate these issues and significantly cut fuel costs.

“The cost of oil will be greatly reduced if the service is established with salt water in the boat,” stated Shiyam.

The minister provided additional insights, noting that: