Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam has stated the government has set a target to begin high-speed ferry services in the southernmost atolls next year. He made the statement while speaking to PSM News after the Maldives Investment Forum at the Expo 2020 in Dubai, UAE.
The National Public Ferry Network aims to establish a convenient and efficient transport system to all administrative islands of the Maldives. The government contracted Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to establish the ferry services, which will be available in six zones, as identified in the National Spatial Plan. The services will first be established in Zone 1, which consists of all 40 inhabited islands in Haa Alifu Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, and Shaviyani Atoll.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Aslam said the government expects to begin high-speed ferry services in Haa Dhaalu Atoll this year. He added that ferry services will be established in all inhabited islands of Zone 1 and four southern atolls next year.
MTCC earlier began test trials of the first vessel of the ferry network and Minister Aslam confirmed test trials are now ongoing for three more vessels.
Gulf Craft Maldives is contracted to manufacture 17 ferries for Zone 1 allocated under the National Spatial Plan. The ferries being manufactured for the project have a speed of 30 nautical miles and a capacity of 50 passengers and are designed to be accessible for stretchers and people with disabilities.
Furthermore, MTCC is currently establishing ferry terminals and stops for the project.