Fourteen ice plants previously operated by Fenaka Corporation Limited have now been transferred to the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) under a new agreement aimed at improving the country’s fisheries infrastructure.
The agreement was formalized with a signing ceremony attended by MIFCO’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Vitaliy Lyubimov, and Fenaka’s Managing Director, Mohamed Najah.
According to the current administration, the former government had handed over these ice plants to Fenaka, despite the company lacking the necessary resources to operate them efficiently. As a result, several of the ice plants had become non-operational, affecting local fishermen’s access to ice—a crucial resource in preserving their catch.
With the transfer to MIFCO, the company has deployed its engineers and technical staff to restore the ice plants to full operational capacity, expanding MIFCO’s service portfolio while addressing a longstanding issue faced by the fishing community.
The ice plants now under MIFCO’s management are located in:
- Haa Alifu Atoll – Ihavandhoo
- Noonu Atoll – Lhohi
- Raa Atoll – Alifushi
- Baa Atoll – Thulhaadhoo
- Faafu Atoll – Feeali, Nilandhoo
- Thaa Atoll – Hirilandhoo
- Gaafu Alifu Atoll – Dhaandhoo, Dhevvadhoo, Gemanafushi, Kolamaafushi
- Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll – Fares-Mathoda, Fiyori
- Seenu Atoll – Hithadhoo
During his Presidential Address at this year’s Parliament opening, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu acknowledged the difficulties local fishermen face in obtaining ice and pledged to construct additional ice plants this year, using both state funding and foreign aid.
“During this year, ice plants will be set up in Meedhoo and Bandidhoo in Dhaalu Atoll, and Funadhoo in Shaviyani Atoll, funded by the state budget. Additionally, ice plants will be established in Dhidhdhoo (Haa Alifu Atoll), Komandoo (Shaviyani Atoll), Kulhudhuffushi (Haa Dhaalu Atoll), Rathafandhoo (Gaafu Alifu Atoll), and Rasdhoo (Alifu Alifu Atoll) under loan assistance from the Saudi Fund,” the President announced.
Beyond increasing the operational capacity of ice plants, the government is also rolling out a project to equip 100 fishing vessels with Refrigerated Seawater (RSW) systems. This initiative will reduce dependency on ice plants, enabling fishermen to store their catch efficiently on board.
Through this project, funds ranging from USD 6,485 to USD 120,700 will be provided under Islamic Finance facilities from the Islamic Development Bank. The financing will cover the cost of an RSW system, generator, and solar panels, with no mortgage required.
The government expects that reducing the need for long-distance travel to purchase ice will result in significant cost savings for fishermen, while also improving the efficiency of Maldives’ fisheries sector.
With MIFCO taking over the ice plants, new ones in the pipeline, and vessels being upgraded with modern cooling systems, the Maldivian fisheries industry is set to undergo a major transformation, ensuring better infrastructure and support for the nation’s fishermen.
