The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has resumed issuing Seafarer Identity Documents (SIDs) after nearly a decade, marking a significant shift for Maldivians seeking employment in the maritime sector. According to the ministry, 200 seafarers have received the document since issuance began on 24 June 2024.

The SID is required under the International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention and is recognised by both the International Maritime Organization and the ILO. Its absence had long restricted Maldivians from working aboard international liner vessels, with some countries refusing entry to seafarers without the credential. In some cases, this resulted in deportations or financial penalties. By late 2023, local recruitment companies had stopped offering overseas placements for Maldivian workers, further weakening the sector.

In a publication released this week, the ministry said the resumption of SID issuance closes a regulatory gap that has hindered the industry for years. Officials expect the measure to improve access to international employment and restore opportunities that had been unavailable to Maldivian crews.

The ministry has also introduced Certificates of Competency (CoC) aimed at broadening professional pathways for those working on cargo vessels in the Near Coastal Area. Applicants who complete Certificate III in Marine Operations or Certificate III in Marine Engineering may obtain a CoC after passing an oral examination. Over the past two years, fourteen Deck CoC certificates have been issued, enabling holders to qualify for officer-level positions on vessels serving coastal routes.

The ministry noted that the combined reforms address issues that had created long-standing barriers for maritime workers. With SID issuance underway and new competency certifications available, officials say conditions have improved for those seeking to re-enter regional and international maritime markets.

Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim has said that the newly formed State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation Limited will serve a broader purpose than importing medicine, emphasising that the Maldives has the capacity to eventually develop its own pharmaceutical industry.

Responding to a parliamentary question from North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim, the Minister noted that medicine imports have historically been channelled through STO. However, as STO operates across a wide range of sectors, it has not been positioned to focus exclusively on pharmaceutical supply. He said this has created the need for a dedicated state enterprise with the ability to prioritise and manage the issue more effectively.

Nazim explained that many countries operate specialised pharmaceutical companies to ensure long-term planning, stronger oversight, and clearer accountability. The purpose of the new Maldivian corporation, he said, is to take a more structured and sector-wide approach. This includes assessing national demand, identifying reliable manufacturers, strengthening links with regional suppliers, and developing laboratory and research capacity. He also noted that neighbouring countries already produce a significant portion of their own medicines, and that the Maldives should explore similar opportunities through research, investment, and industry development.

His remarks come against the backdrop of recent medicine shortages. Reforms to Aasandha pricing resulted in the halt of imports of certain drugs, while the issuance of several medicines already available in the country was also suspended for various reasons. These developments created nationwide supply pressures earlier in the year.

To address these challenges, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu established the State Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Corporation on 7 September with the aim of centralising and improving the country’s medicine supply system. Nazim said the initiative should be viewed as part of a broader transition within the health sector, pointing to recent efforts to develop local capacity in areas such as medical and nursing education.

The corporation’s Managing Director, Dr Shah Mahir, told Mihaaru News last month that work is underway to transfer medicine supply responsibilities from existing entities to the new company. He estimated that the corporation will take between three and six months to become fully operational.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced further progress in ongoing land reclamation efforts, confirming that the dredger TSHD Prins Der Nederlanden arrived in the Maldives today and will begin work in Hulhumalé Phase III tomorrow. The update was shared on the President’s official X account.

The newly arrived dredger will operate alongside TSHD Oranji, which has already been mobilised for the project. According to the President, bund wall work in Giraavaru Falhu will begin once the Environmental Impact Assessment and other required procedures are completed.

Reclamation of Hulhumalé Phase III is scheduled for completion by the end of next month. Following this phase, both dredgers will be relocated to Giraavaru Falhu, where land reclamation is expected to finish within two to three months.

The President has previously highlighted that reclamation initiatives across the Malé region are advancing at a rapid pace as part of broader efforts to address the area’s housing pressures. He also noted that further acceleration is expected in December with the deployment of additional dredgers.

The Ministry of Tourism and Environment has stepped up conservation efforts in the South Ari Marine Protected Area following growing concerns over vessel traffic and an increase in incidents involving visitors. The area, home to one of the world’s few year-round populations of endangered Whale Sharks, has long been a major draw for tourists.

Speaking on state media Minister Thoriq Ibrahim said safeguarding protected sites such as SAMPA remains a priority. He highlighted the unique ecological conditions that make the site significant, noting that the merging of reefs and currents produces plankton blooms that attract Whale Sharks, known locally as Fihurihi, throughout the year. This has made the zone one of the most visited wildlife sites in the country.

To improve safety and oversight, the ministry introduced a requirement in February for tourists to enter SAMPA only under the supervision of certified guides. Since then, more than 530 participants have taken part in the training programme, with 440 passing the certification exam. Minister Thoriq said the initiative forms part of a broader framework to regulate marine activity within the protected zone. He also confirmed that a dedicated Ranger Service has been established in the region, with rangers recording around 121 hours of patrol time so far this year.

The increased focus follows several serious incidents in recent years involving visitors in the area. Ministry data show that most resident Whale Sharks have been injured by vessel strikes, with roughly 70 percent bearing propeller scars. The Environment Ministry has since tightened regulations for all who operate within SAMPA, including tourists, guides, captains, and crew, in order to reduce risks and prevent further harm to the species.

STELCO has awarded certificates to women who completed its Beginners’ Electrician Course, a programme aimed at equipping participants with practical skills to manage basic electrical issues at home. The ceremony was held yesterday with First Lady Sajidha Mohamed as the Guest of Honour.

According to STELCO, 116 women completed the course across seven batches. At today’s ceremony, 30 graduates received their certificates in person, while 81 participants were formally recognised for completing the programme.

Speaking at the event, the First Lady highlighted the importance of technical training for women, noting that it can strengthen confidence and enhance their contributions in both household and professional settings. She described the course as a meaningful step in ensuring women have access to skills that support day-to-day responsibilities.

The training covered the safe and efficient use of electricity, basic electrical repairs, and energy conservation practices. STELCO stated that the programme is open to girls and women aged 16 and above, with the aim of enabling participants to manage simple electrical tasks independently.

STELCO Managing Director Ahmed Shamah Rasheed and other senior officials were also present at the ceremony. They commended the commitm

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has confirmed that the long-planned relocation of Malé’s congested commercial harbour to Thilafushi is likely to take around ten years, reflecting both the scale of the project and the extensive preparatory work required. The update was shared by MPL CEO Mohamed Rishwan during an interview on state media.

The commercial harbour in Malé has operated for nearly four decades, but capacity constraints have become increasingly severe. The harbour was originally built to manage 1,500 containers yet now handles about 3,000, while the Hulhumalé harbour adds a further 2,000 containers. Rishwan noted that these figures illustrate the pressure placed on existing infrastructure and the wider maritime logistics system.

The proposed solution is the development of a 60-hectare commercial port in Thilafushi. Valued at approximately USD 250 million, the project will be carried out in phases over a period of around ten years. Rishwan said the first phase is already advancing, with the 60-metre keywall for empty containers completed. Permits for the next steps are currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation and the Maldives Customs Service.

A significant element of Phase One is the construction of a relief jetty at Thilafushi. Expected to take two years, this facility is intended to ease pressure on the commercial port, North Harbour, and T-Jetty while further development continues. Plans also include a 100-metre keywall and drawings for an additional 660 metres of local keywalls, along with new warehouses, supporting infrastructure, and expanded staffing.

Rishwan stated that Phase One is targeted for completion by November 2027, with an estimated cost of USD 60 million. A further USD 150 million has been allocated for local harbour relief measures.

While acknowledging the substantial investment required, he described the works as significant changes that will reshape how the country handles maritime logistics. He also indicated that subsequent phases are expected to progress more quickly once the initial groundwork is complete.

A national symposium aimed at strengthening long-term waste management across the Maldives has opened in Gan, Laamu Atoll. The Magey Saafu Raajje National Symposium 2025, held from 24 to 26 November, is intended to offer a platform for consultations on waste management challenges, sectoral obstacles, and the development of sustainable approaches suited to island communities.

Organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the forum follows its formal inauguration earlier this year. The Ministry said the gathering is part of broader national efforts to support cleaner islands through shared knowledge and coordinated planning. Participants are expected to discuss ways to improve current systems and identify steps that can lead to more durable, island-appropriate solutions.

In a video message delivered during the opening session, Tourism and Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim highlighted the continued need for safe and sustainable waste management to safeguard public health and the environment. He noted that the government has placed increased attention on island waste management since President Dr Mohamed Muizzu assumed office, with multiple projects currently underway. According to the Minister, work to establish waste management facilities is ongoing in 137 islands, supported through contracts awarded to state-owned and private entities. Efforts to provide the equipment required for these operations are progressing in parallel.

Minister Thoriq said the presence of technical specialists and frontline practitioners at the symposium reflects the importance of strengthening the country’s waste management systems. He added that progress depends largely on cooperation among all stakeholders, noting that the symposium would serve as a venue to share insights and discuss practical challenges.

Supported by the World Bank, the three-day event features sessions covering policies, regulations, and the legal framework governing resource and waste management. Participants are being introduced to international models that have proved effective elsewhere, with discussions centred on how such systems might be adapted to the realities of small island nations. Presentations from sector organisations and experts aim to encourage collaboration and improve understanding of what can be implemented locally.

Around 200 participants are attending the symposium, including government officials, specialists, and representatives from groups involved in sustainable development. Delegates from islands across seven atolls are taking part, highlighting the national interest in addressing waste management and resource challenges.

Fenaka Corporation Limited has expanded its power generation and utility services across dozens of islands over the past two years, with new generators, maintenance work and renewable energy projects forming the core of its recent activities. The company, which provides electricity, water and sewerage services to 157 islands, outlined these developments in a recent interview given by Managing Director Mohamed Najah to state media.

According to Fenaka, 93 generators have been dispatched to islands since the start of the current administration, aimed at easing capacity issues and reducing the frequency of power outages. The bulk of the units were delivered in 2024, while the remaining generators were shipped this year. The corporation also plans to send an additional 48 generators ahead of the upcoming month of Ramadan, when electricity demand traditionally rises.

Alongside supplying new units, Fenaka said it has been carrying out major maintenance on existing equipment, including overhauling 47 generators. The company noted that improving the performance of older systems is an essential part of stabilising power supply in smaller island communities.

Beyond electricity generation, Fenaka has accelerated its work on expanding water and sewerage networks, with 48 islands connected to clean water systems and 28 islands connected to sewerage networks over the past two years. Network upgrades are ongoing in a further 13 islands, reflecting continued efforts to improve basic utility coverage in outlying regions.

Fenaka also highlighted progress in renewable energy deployment. The company is currently overseeing two major renewable energy projects, with installations completed in 12 islands and ongoing in 25 others. The “My Solar” programme, which installs smaller scale solar systems for local power generation, has been rolled out to 187 islands.

The corporation reported that these renewable energy initiatives contributed to fuel savings of USD 311,284 in 2024. While the figure represents early progress, the company said reducing operational costs through solar integration remains a long term target, especially as fuel continues to make up a significant portion of electricity production expenses.

Fenaka’s recent activities reflect a mix of new installations, system upgrades and renewable transitions. As demand grows across populated and remote islands, the company’s operational focus remains on expanding capacity, improving reliability and finding ways to reduce fuel dependence through alternative energy sources.

A commercial poultry farming programme is set to begin in Kinolhas, marking a new step in the government’s efforts to strengthen food security across the Maldives. The initiative is being undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare in partnership with the Kinolhas Council of Raa Atoll, following a proposal process in which the island’s council submitted the strongest plan.

According to the Ministry, an agreement has been signed with the Council to carry out the project on the island. Speaking to PSM News, Kinolhas Council President Ahmed Hussain said poultry farming has long been part of the island’s identity, noting that residents have raised chickens for many years. He added that the practice aligns with the island’s development plans, with 20,000 square feet of land already allocated for poultry farming in its land-use plan.

Ahmed Hussain also highlighted the commercial potential of the project. With 18 resorts located in proximity to the island, he said that supplying locally produced eggs could offer clear benefits to nearby hospitality establishments and create new economic opportunities for the community.

The commercial poultry farming programme in Kinolhas is scheduled to commence in December.