Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), on Monday, commenced ferry services in Faafu Atoll.
According to the company, daily transfers would be available from each inhabited island of the atoll except on Mondays and Fridays. Tickets are priced at MVR 20.
Although Vermillion International Pvt Ltd was previously assigned to provide transport in Faafu Atoll, ferries were discontinued in 2018.
In addition to Faafu Atoll, the state tasked Vermillion with providing transportation for the atolls of Meemu and Dhaalu in return for leasing out two islands for resort development in 2011. However, the company discontinued transfer services in all three atolls later on.
MTCC recently launched ferry services in Meemu and Dhaalu as well.
Vermillion International is owned by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) representative and Bilehdhoo MP Ahmed Haleem. The two resorts, St Regis Vommuli and Dhoores Retreat Maldives, are still operated in Dhaalu Atoll.
The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has submitted the case of Vermillion International halting ferry services to the Attorney General's Office to determine a suitable penalty.
The administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed leased out several islands and land plots for development on the condition that companies provided domestic transportation.
However, in several instances, the state faced legal difficulties after nullifying such agreements over non-compliance.
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