Ports to be opened round the clock to foreign vessels

The government has arranged for foreign cargo vessels to enter the port limit areas of harbors 24 hours a day, marking the end of a 38-year-old restriction.

The practice of preventing foreign vessels from entering Maldivian seaports between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 AM, requiring them to wait until 6:00 AM, was established following the November 1988 terrorist attack on the Maldives.

After the attack, carried out by a group of Maldivians in collaboration with a Sri Lankan Tamil terrorist organization, this policy was maintained for security reasons, as the terrorists had approached the Maldives by sea during the middle of the night.

The Ministry of Transport stated today that after 38 years, this policy is being changed starting tomorrow to allow 24-hour access due to the increasing number of maritime vessels arriving in the Maldives.

"...as the number of vessels arriving in the Maldives is increasing, the government has now determined to establish arrangements where ports can be entered at any time in a manner that benefits the nation's economy," the statement said.

The Transport Ministry added that with this new change, vessel safety will be ensured, and permits required under the standards of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, along with pilotage services, will be available without interruption.

The Ministry also noted that this will provide significant relief by saving time and avoiding the additional costs previously incurred due to having to wait outside until 6:00 AM.

"This decision is a significant step taken to make the Malé Commercial Port a reliable, international-standard facility. Furthermore, this is something that will pave the way for the development of the Maldives' maritime transport sector and increase the number of vessels arriving in the Maldives," the statement read.

Regarding the change, Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen stated in a post on X that the decision to open port areas for 24-hour access to incoming merchant vessels starting tomorrow is a vital economic step. He added that this decision is a positive change brought about under the robust policies maintained by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

During a meeting between President Muizzu and business owners, some traders had noted that they faced major difficulties because the Malé Commercial Port did not provide 24-hour services to merchant ships.