Japan-Funded USD 3.7m Maritime Rescue Centre Handed Over To Maldives
- Japan handed over a USD 3.7 million Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre to the Maldives, inaugurated by President Muizzu.
- The four-storey facility serves as an operational coordination centre and national maritime training hub, implemented by UNODC with Australian partnership.
- The handover reflects Japan's longstanding maritime cooperation with the Maldives, ahead of their 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.
The Government of Japan has officially handed over a newly constructed Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in the Maldives, developed through a USD 3.7 million grant.
The facility was established under the Project for Strengthening the Capacities of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center, funded by the Government and people of Japan. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu officiated the inauguration ceremony, which was attended by Japanese Ambassador to the Maldives Ishigami Rumiko, representatives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Australian Government.
UNODC implemented the project in partnership with the Australian Government. The project was formalised through an Exchange of Notes signed in February 2021 between Japan and UNODC.
The project comprises two components: construction of the new MRCC facility, including training facilities, and specialised training programmes in maritime search and rescue and maritime law enforcement for Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard officers and other maritime agencies.
The four-storey facility will serve as both an operational coordination centre and a national maritime training hub. The ground floor houses the MRCC operations room, offices and conference facilities, while the first floor includes an auditorium, classrooms and a chart room.
The second and third floors provide accommodation and support facilities for trainees and instructors. The rooftop terrace includes study areas, a library and additional training space.
Japanese Ambassador Ishigami said the new facility would strengthen maritime security in the Indian Ocean and contribute to Japan’s vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), which promotes peace, stability, the rule of law, freedom of navigation and maritime cooperation.
She also highlighted Japan’s longstanding cooperation with the Maldives on maritime safety and security. In December 2024, Japan provided maritime rescue communication equipment, diving equipment and tools valued at USD 7.6 million to strengthen MRCC’s maritime humanitarian operations.
Other recent Japanese initiatives in the Maldives include a sea ambulance for the MNDF, a customs patrol vessel for the Maldives Customs Service and CCTV surveillance systems for the Maldives Police Service on seven outer islands.
The handover comes as the Maldives and Japan approach the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.
