The Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources has revised the fuel subsidy system for fishing vessels, requiring vessels to use the Fahi Hakatha portal to apply for and receive the subsidy.
Global fuel prices have risen sharply amid instability and conflict in the Middle East, with the impact continuing to affect the Maldives directly. Despite the challenging circumstances, the Government has taken firm measures to ease the difficulties facing fishermen.
Under the direction of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the Government’s main objective is to ensure the fishing industry continues without disruption. As part of these efforts, arrangements are already in place to provide fishing vessels with fuel at affordable prices.
The Government’s ‘Fahi Hakatha’ programme allows fishermen to obtain fuel at subsidised prices. The Government had previously decided to maintain the existing price at which fuel is sold to fishermen.
Following changes in fuel prices linked to the conflict in the Middle East, the Government began providing fuel subsidies in March 2026 specifically to vessels licensed to conduct marine fishing. This support is provided in addition to the programme introduced in 2019 to sell duty-reduced diesel to fishing vessels.
The subsidy introduced in March currently applies to all active vessels holding a fishing licence. It has so far operated separately from the Fahi Hakatha programme, with vessels receiving the subsidy without having to submit a request through the Fahi Hakatha portal.
To further strengthen the fuel subsidy system, the ministry has now decided to require use of the Fahi Hakatha portal to apply for and receive the subsidy. The ministry already uses the portal to provide duty-reduced fuel to fishing vessels. It has therefore asked all vessels engaged in marine fishing that have not yet registered on the portal to do so by 15 September 2026.
Fuel at special rates was previously available to fishermen from four areas, while supply has now begun from an additional 11 areas. Under the Government’s affordable fuel arrangements, vessels longer than 85 feet receive 5,000 litres, vessels between 50 and 85 feet receive 3,000 litres, and vessels shorter than 50 feet receive 1,500 litres through the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO), the ministry said.
MIFCO can obtain diesel for fish-collection vessels at USD 1.14 per litre. The company has also arranged for fishermen to obtain fuel on credit from its centres, with MIFCO and Fuel Supplies Maldives (FSM) recently signing an agreement to facilitate the arrangement.
Under the agreement, fishing vessels can obtain fuel after supplying their catch to MIFCO. MIFCO will deduct the cost of the fuel from the amount payable for the fish supplied by the vessel. The fuel cost can be deducted from payments made to fishermen within 48 hours of supplying their catch.
Access to fuel on credit is something fishermen have strongly requested. It was also one of the most important issues fishermen raised with MIFCO Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Anas when he met them during visits to the company’s centres after assuming office.