The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has said preparations are underway to launch additional RTL ferry services in February.
RTL ferry services are divided into six zones, with services currently operating in four zones. Services have yet to commence in Zone 3 and Zone 4.
Zone 4 includes Meemu Atoll, Faafu Atoll, Dhaalu Atolland Laamu Atoll, while Zone 3 covers Kaafu Atoll, Alifu Alifu Atoll, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll and Vaavu Atoll.
The ministry said it is preparing to launch ferry services in another atoll next month. Work is ongoing to determine the atolls where the service will begin and to finalise the operating rules for the routes.
The RTL ferry service is operated by Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). The company said construction of all ferries required to serve the remaining atolls is currently underway.
MTCC said the work is progressing according to schedule and that ferry operations in the remaining atolls will commence as soon as building boats is completed.
Most recently, RTL ferry services were launched in Thaa Atoll, bringing the total number of atolls currently served to 12.
The RTL ferry service was introduced in 2022 as part of the government’s priority transport initiatives to connect the entire country through a high-speed ferry network. The service aims to provide an affordable, reliable and efficient means of inter-island transport.
During visits to the atolls in October last year, President Mohamed Muizzu said the government is working to complete the rollout of RTL ferry services across all atolls by March this year.