President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has established the Maldives Transportation Safety Board, a new Government body tasked with enhancing the safety of transport systems across land, sea, and air. The board was created under Directive No. 7/2025 and will operate under the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.
The President’s Office announced the formation of the Board on 8 April 2025, invoking Section 116 of the Constitution, which grants the President the authority to establish State agencies. The newly formed Board is intended to function as an independent entity that investigates transportation incidents and advises on improvements to national safety protocols.
According to the directive, all official communications with the Board should use the number 501, designated for its identification within the Government’s numbering system.
The Board’s responsibilities are broad, with a mandate to investigate the causes of transportation incidents and accidents across all modes of travel. It will also provide technical guidance and recommendations to relevant authorities, aiming to improve safety standards and regulations. In addition, the Board is expected to conduct research into transport safety issues, monitor trends, and convene public hearings where necessary.
It will also be responsible for releasing public reports and information related to its findings, marking a significant step towards improving transparency and accountability in transportation safety management.
Transport incidents, particularly in urban and densely populated areas like Malé, have raised long-standing concerns. While accidents at sea and on land are relatively frequent and sometimes result in serious injuries or fatalities, aviation-related incidents remain rare in the country.
The creation of the Board reflects President Muizzu’s commitment to reinforcing the structural framework of transport oversight and promoting a culture of safety throughout the Maldives’ transportation systems.
