The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Ltd (MIFCO) is set to relocate its fish processing facility from Kaafu Atoll Kan'du Oiy Giri to Felivaru in Lhaviyani Atoll, with operations expected to begin next month.
According to MIFCO, 90% of the relocation work has already been completed. The remaining tasks, including the transfer of heavy-duty equipment, are set to be finalized within the next five days. The transfer, which will involve cranes and landing craft, is anticipated to be a swift process to meet the company's operational timeline.
The relocation comes after the Kan'du Oiy Giri facility was handed over to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) on August 4. MIFCO had long operated the facility, which focused on yellowfin tuna processing, but persistent issues with docking and other logistical challenges prompted the decision to relocate.
Challenges at Kan'du Oiy Giri
Kan'du Oiy Giri faced significant obstacles as a fish processing hub, particularly regarding access for fishing vessels. The island’s location and infrastructure presented ongoing difficulties for vessels approaching the dock, contributing to inefficiencies in yellowfin tuna fisheries operations. This, coupled with long-standing structural issues, motivated MIFCO to seek a more suitable location for its processing operations.
Felivaru, a well-established site for fish processing, offers better facilities and more secure docking capabilities, making it a natural choice for relocation. The new site is expected to enhance operations and address many of the logistical challenges previously faced at Kan'du Oiy Giri.
Plans for Hulhumalé Harbour
In parallel, discussions are ongoing between MIFCO, the Ministry of Fisheries, and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to secure land at Hulhumalé Harbour for future fish processing and related activities. Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has indicated that negotiations are underway, although MIFCO clarified that no formal agreement has been reached yet.
"We are in discussions with HDC, in coordination with the Fisheries Ministry, and we hope to secure a plot of land in Hulhumalé in exchange for Kan'du Oiy Giri," said an official from MIFCO. "Once an agreement is finalized, we will announce the details."
Future of Yellowfin Tuna Fisheries
The yellowfin tuna facility at Kan'du Oiy Giri had long been a key player in the Maldivian fisheries sector. However, the inefficiencies faced at the island limited its ability to fully meet the demands of the industry. With the relocation to Felivaru, MIFCO hopes to streamline its operations and better support the country’s vital yellowfin tuna fisheries.
The Fisheries Minister also revealed that financial assistance had been secured from international sources to support the fish packing operations, which could be utilized in the newly established facilities. This financial backing is expected to boost production capacity and strengthen the Maldives' position in the global tuna market.
With relocation efforts nearing completion and operations expected to commence next month, MIFCO’s move to Felivaru signals a strategic shift to improve the country's fish processing capabilities and bolster the wider fisheries sector.
