The importation of goods into the Maldives has been severely impacted by disruptions in international cargo shipping, causing significant delays for local businesses and shipping agents. The delays stem from a combination of hold-ups at Sri Lanka’s Colombo port and damage to two cargo vessels, according to reports from local media.
Goods intended for various countries are stuck in Colombo and Singapore, while freight costs have surged due to altered shipping routes. The disruption has been compounded by a container boat that services the Maldives from Sri Lanka being damaged, resulting in a month-long delay in departures. Space constraints are also a pressing issue, with priority given to perishable goods.
Additionally, damage to a crane on a Maldives State Shipping (MSS) vessel caused further delays in the transport of goods from Colombo to Malé. An unnamed large-scale importer confirmed that these issues are exacerbating the already strained supply chain.
Despite these challenges, MSS vessels have remained on schedule, and the company has introduced a ship with a capacity of 500 containers to transport goods from Malaysia and Singapore to Sri Lanka to mitigate the delays. The logistical bottleneck is further intensified by the ongoing threat posed by Yemen’s Houthi fighters, who have been attacking ships in the Red Sea since late 2023. Approximately 12 percent of international shipping traverses this critical route. The attacks have forced many shipping companies to reroute around Africa, extending journeys by an additional ten days. Consequently, Sri Lanka’s commercial harbour in Colombo, the primary transhipment port for goods destined for the Maldives, has been overwhelmed. According to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, the volume of transhipment goods in the first quarter of this year doubled compared to the same period last year.
The compounded delays are creating substantial difficulties for Maldivian importers. The disruptions in the supply chain, increased shipping costs, and space constraints are likely to impact the availability and prices of goods in the Maldives. As global shipping routes continue to be unstable, local businesses and consumers may need to brace for ongoing challenges in the importation of essential goods.
