Maldives Maritime Transport Profile 2026
Outline
MALDIVES
MARITIME TRANSPORT PROFILE
Supported by:
Maritime assets
Port area in 2025
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Ships built by country of building, annual
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Merchant fleet by country of beneficial ownership, annual
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Trade - Navigation total
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Water transport employment
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Activity
Container port throughput
Port call and performance statistics
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Trade mode share
Port Activity
Trade openness index
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Seafarer supply
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Top 10 Freight Transport Expenditure in USD (Import)
Source: UNCTAD & World Bank. (n.d.). TransportCosts. UN Trade & Development Data Hub - Trade-and-Transport Dataset, Annual, 2016 Onward. Retrieved May 1, 2025, from https://unctadstat.unctad.org/datacentre/dataviewer/US.TransportCosts
Top 10 Freight transport work in thousand ton-km (Import)
Source: UNCTAD & World Bank. (n.d.). TransportCosts. UN Trade & Development Data Hub - Trade-and-Transport Dataset, Annual, 2016 Onward. Retrieved May 1, 2025, from https://unctadstat.unctad.org/datacentre/dataviewer/US.TransportCosts
Top 10 Freight Transport Expenditure in USD (Export)
Source: UNCTAD & World Bank. (n.d.). TransportCosts. UN Trade & Development Data Hub - Trade-and-Transport Dataset, Annual, 2016 Onward. Retrieved May 1, 2025, from https://unctadstat.unctad.org/datacentre/dataviewer/US.TransportCosts
Top 10 Freight transport work in thousand ton-km (Export)
Source: UNCTAD & World Bank. (n.d.). TransportCosts. UN Trade & Development Data Hub - Trade-and-Transport Dataset, Annual, 2016 Onward. Retrieved May 1, 2025, from https://unctadstat.unctad.org/datacentre/dataviewer/US.TransportCosts
Connectivity and performance
LPI
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Liner shipping connectivity index
Port liner shipping connectivity index
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Bilateral liner shipping connectivity index
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Trade cost
Container port performance index
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Remoteness index
Sustainable freight transport index
Percent of firms identifying transport as a major constraint
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Shipping emissions
EDGAR GHG 2025
Transport energy consumption
EDGAR AP 8.1
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GAINS emissions
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Adaptation and resilience
Average annual loss
Port risk
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Investment on ports
Development financing
Private participation in infrastructure
Policy Targets
EV in water transport
| Energy Roadmap 2024–2033 | 2024 | Replace 10% of the existing sea vessels within the next 5 years with more efficient units including electric models | 2030 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | 2019 | By 2023, at least 60% of maritime incidents are reduced compared to 2018 levels | 2023 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | 2019 | By 2023, 90% of the resident population have access to air connectivity within a 30-minute radius by speed boat | 2023 |
Maritime Safety
| Energy Roadmap 2024–2033 | 2024 | Replace 10% of the existing sea vessels within the next 5 years with more efficient units including electric models | 2030 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | 2019 | By 2023, at least 60% of maritime incidents are reduced compared to 2018 levels | 2023 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | 2019 | By 2023, 90% of the resident population have access to air connectivity within a 30-minute radius by speed boat | 2023 |
Transport access improvement - General
| Energy Roadmap 2024–2033 | 2024 | Replace 10% of the existing sea vessels within the next 5 years with more efficient units including electric models | 2030 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | 2019 | By 2023, at least 60% of maritime incidents are reduced compared to 2018 levels | 2023 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | 2019 | By 2023, 90% of the resident population have access to air connectivity within a 30-minute radius by speed boat | 2023 |
Policy Measures
| Energy Roadmap 2024–2033 | EV charging infrastructure | The initiative aims to replace a portion of the existing sea vessels with more efficient units, including electric models, while improving fuel efficiency and reducing operational costs. This will be achieved by conducting a comprehensive fleet audit to identify inefficiencies and establishing a government tax incentive program: to support vessel replacement, setting technical standards for new vessels, installing charging infrastructure for electric vessels, and regularly monitoring fuel efficiency and operational costs. To replace an inefficient fleet with more efficient vehicles, including electric and hybrid models, and improve average specific consumption, the following steps will be taken: conduct a fleet audit to identify inefficiencies; establish a government tax incentive program to support the replacement of old vehicles with electric and hybrid models; install EV charging infrastructure; and regularly monitor fuel efficiency and operational costs. | 2024 |
| Energy Roadmap 2024–2033 | EV in water transport | Replace 10% of the existing sea vessels within the next 5 years with more efficient units including electric models | 2024 |
| Energy Roadmap 2024–2033 | EV in water transport | The initiative aims to replace a portion of the existing sea vessels with more efficient units, including electric models, while improving fuel efficiency and reducing operational costs. This will be achieved by conducting a comprehensive fleet audit to identify inefficiencies and establishing a government tax incentive program: to support vessel replacement, setting technical standards for new vessels, installing charging infrastructure for electric vessels, and regularly monitoring fuel efficiency and operational costs. | 2024 |
| Energy Roadmap 2024–2033 | Solar energy | Introduce hybrid solar boats as pilot project for short-distance travel, particularly for tourism purposes. Electric motors run on batteries charged with power supplied by solar panels mounted on the boat. | 2024 |
| Energy Roadmap 2024–2033 | Shipping efficiency improvements | The initiative aims to replace a portion of the existing sea vessels with more efficient units, including electric models, while improving fuel efficiency and reducing operational costs. This will be achieved by conducting a comprehensive fleet audit to identify inefficiencies and establishing a government tax incentive program: to support vessel replacement, setting technical standards for new vessels, installing charging infrastructure for electric vessels, and regularly monitoring fuel efficiency and operational costs. | 2024 |
| Maldives Country Report | Shipping efficiency improvements | Develop marine engine emission standards | 2023 |
| Update of Nationally Determined Contribution of Maldives | Shipping efficiency improvements | Establishment of vehicle/vessels emissions standard | 2020 |
| Update of Nationally Determined Contribution of Maldives | Vehicle air pollution emission standards | Establishment of vehicle/vessels emissions standard | 2020 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Accreditation of transport agencies and centres | Conduct systematic audits of the existing Maritime Training Institutions to check compliance on International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards on training, certification, and watch keeping | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Capacity building - General | Strengthen infrastructural and institutional capacity in pilotage services in Male' Port and establish pilotage services in Hithadhoo Port Strengthen infrastructural and institutional capacity of anchorage services, including waste management in Greater Male' Region and develop anchorage service area in Hithadhoo Port Conduct local vessel surveyor training courses to all staff of local councils in collaboration with the PSTI Train Marine Officers in Engineering and Deck Departments Enhance capacity of officers working in regional ports through targeted training programmes on port management Strengthen the infrastructural and technical capacity in transfer and demolition of vehicles in the towyard facilities in enforcement of regulatory requirements | 2019 |
| National Action Plan on Air Pollutants | Data collection and repositories - General | Collect primary and secondary data Build national vehicle emissions inventory Build national vessel emissions inventory | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Development of shipping/ maritime/ inland water transport (IWT) plan/ policy | Position Hithadhoo and Kulhudhuffushi ports as global port hubs through consolidated and strategic marketing plans Formulate a concept to develop a Cruise Terminal in Male' Region with input from respective stakeholders in line with the National Spatial Plan Formulate a concept to attract international boat builders, specially luxury yacht builders to the Maldives | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Disaster notification/ early warning system | Establish a NAVTEX system including Maritime Safety Information of Navigational and Meteorological warning, meteorological forecast, warnings of missing vessels and other urgent messages pertaining for the safety of the vessel and its crew in line with IMO obligations | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Employment in transport, communication, and storage | Conduct awareness and information dissemination to school leavers on employment prospects and job opportunities within the seafaring industry Coordinate with job centres to promote employment opportunities in the industry | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Freight and logistics improvements - General | Upgrade port facilities to include logistical services between regional ports and peripheries, facilities to store perishables and eliminate bottlenecks in the ports Set up a robust monitoring mechanism to ensure safe transportation and storage of chemicals, flammables, timber, and other dangerous cargo Create transport inter-linkages with economic hubs identified across the country | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Gender inclusive infrastructure and service design | Review and modify ferry terminal facilities to ensure passenger safety and accessibility, with a specific focus on PWDs, pregnant women, people with young children, and senior citizens Review and modify buses and bus terminals to ensure passenger safety and accessibility, with a specific focus on PWDs, pregnant women, people with young children, and senior citizens | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | General transport improvement for elderly, children, or persons with disabilities | Review and modify ferry terminal facilities to ensure passenger safety and accessibility, with a specific focus on PWDs, pregnant women, people with young children, and senior citizens Review and modify buses and bus terminals to ensure passenger safety and accessibility, with a specific focus on PWDs, pregnant women, people with young children, and senior citizens Provide special arrangements for the elderly in public transportation, including introducing a scheme for discounted public transport Establish and enforce standards on accessibility to transportation services for the elderly in line with international best practice Provide special arrangements for PWDs in public transportation, including introducing a scheme for free public transport for registered PWDs | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Infrastructure improvements - General | Provide school bus services in population centres in line with national spatial plan Provide efficient transport access from primary to tertiary care Ensure availability of regular and reliable transportation for commute from nearby local islands to resort of employment Develop a cruise terminal in the Greater Male' Region | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Intelligent transport systems (ITS) | Strengthen the “Niami” mobile application through data integration of ferry schedules across the country | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Maritime Safety | By 2023, at least 60% of maritime incidents are reduced compared to 2018 levels | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Maritime Safety | Establish a hydrographic service to promote the use of hydrography for the safety of navigation and to update navigational charts of Maldives territorial waters. Formulate and enforce regulation on Port State Control and a regulation on implementing International Safety Management Code (ISM Code) for ships and ships operating with Maldives flag Formulate and enforce regulation on the selection and authorisation of classification societies acting on behalf of the Flag State for Maldivian Flagged Vessels in line with the Recognised Organisation (RO) Code and a regulation on the investigation of Marine accidents in line with the Marine Accidents and Casualty Investigation Code Formulate and enforce a regulation on the investigation of marine accidents in line with Marine Accidents and Casualty Investigation Code Formulate and enforce regulations on tonnage measurement on ships, load line of commercial vessels, and prevention of collisions at sea in line with the International Regulation for Preventing Collision at Sea | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Private sector investment/ PPP | Facilitate private sector investments to operate ferry services | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Public transport improvement - General | Conduct feasibility assessments, alongside energy efficiency and fuel consumption analysis in providing public transportation through ferry and bus services | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Public transport pricing | Introduce government subsidised public transport service (mini-bus service, taxis and school buses) Explore options to harmonise airfare rates between locals and tourists Revise and sustain the reductions brought to domestic airfare to reduce the financial burden on locals. Introduce government subsidised public transport service (mini-bus service, taxis and school buses) | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Reporting, transparency, feedback mechanism | Develop Maritime Online Platform designed for modularity, enhanced coordination and communication between the port and the public, and ship reporting | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Rural transport services | Establish a mobile marketing and haulage ferry service “Agri-Boat” to link producers to markets | 2019 |
| National Action Plan on Air Pollutants | Shipping efficiency improvements | Develop vessel emission standards | 2019 |
| Biennial update report (BUR). BUR 1 | Shipping fuels | introduce energy efficient vessels as well as renewable energy vessels into their operations. (private sector) | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Shipping improvement - General | Review the existing ferry service network and introduce atoll ferries in line with National Spatial Plan Establish regional and sub-regional boat building facilities in RUCs and SRUCs in line with the National Spatial Plan Establish a dry-docking facility to repair and build vessels Establish a National Shipping Line in Maldives Draft and develop a proposal for the development of Pilot station near “Bandos Maagaa” Establish a hydrographic service to promote the use of hydrography for the safety of navigation and to update navigational charts of Maldives territorial waters [ Establish Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) within Male' Port Area Facilitate seafarer's identity document formulation Formulate and enforce regulation on wreckage and wreck removal Establish a dry-docking facility to repair and build vessels | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Shipping port infrastructure improvements | Allocate land and construct central ferry terminals in RUCs and SRUCs, and ferry terminals in all administrative islands in line with National Spatial Plan Facilitate efficient movement of ferry passengers at arrivals and departures Establish Regional Commercial Domestic Ports in RUCs and sub-regional Commercial Harbors in SRUCs in line with National Spatial Plan Provide harbour and jetty services in all administrative islands in line with National Spatial Plan Establish ancillary facilities within the ports Upgrade port facilities to include logistical services between regional ports and peripheries, facilities to store perishables and eliminate bottlenecks in the ports | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Stakeholder involvement - General | Formulate a concept to develop a Cruise Terminal in Male' Region with input from respective stakeholders in line with the National Spatial Plan Conduct air service consultations with states those are potentially important to Maldivian tourism, trade, and public interest | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Technical standards for general transport infrastructure | Formulate and enforce regulations on maritime security in line with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code Formulate and enforce regulation on Port State Control and a regulation on implementing International Safety Management Code (ISM Code) for ships and ships operating with Maldives flag Formulate and enforce regulation on the selection and authorisation of classification societies acting on behalf of the Flag State for Maldivian Flagged Vessels in line with the Recognised Organisation (RO) Code and a regulation on the investigation of Marine accidents in line with the Marine Accidents and Casualty Investigation Code Formulate and enforce regulation on ship equipment used in Maldivian Flagged Vessels Formulate and enforce a regulation on the investigation of marine accidents in line with Marine Accidents and Casualty Investigation Code Formulate and enforce regulations concerning the procedures for the determination of offences committed by ships and other maritime vessels Formulate and enforce regulations on tonnage measurement on ships, load line of commercial vessels, and prevention of collisions at sea in line with the International Regulation for Preventing Collision at Sea Formulate and enforce regulations for NAVigational TEleX (NAVTEX) system for local and foreign vessels, Vessel Traffic Service in Male' Area, ship reporting and a regulation for Hydrography service in the Maldives Review and revise existing ferry regulations in line with National Spatial Plan Review and revise the existing ‘Open Registry/ Luxury Vessel Registration Regulation' Strengthen the Port Clearance Regime in line with international best practices | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Technology and knowledge transfer | Formulate a comprehensive public transportation plan through consultancy services of a Transport Engineer, to address congestion through application of technology and scientific principles to the planning, functional design, operation, and management of infrastructure and facilities providing public transportation to the Greater Male' Region | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Transport access improvement - General | By 2023, 90% of the resident population have access to air connectivity within a 30-minute radius by speed boat | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Transport finance - General | Establish the Aids to Navigation Fund to be an independent fund maintained by the Maldives Transport Authority Revise and sustain the reductions brought to domestic airfare to reduce the financial burden on locals | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Transport institutional reform | Establish National Professional Naval Architect Committee in order to approve existing boat builders Establish an independent authority under the Maldives Civil Aviation Act to that would act as the investigative body in air and aircraft accidents | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Transport Laws and Regulations- General | Enact Maritime Authority Law to develop a separate administration with maritime related mandate Enact Port Law and associated regulations Formulate and enforce the appropriate legal framework to facilitate National Shipping Line in Maldives Review and revise the Maritime Act (Law Number 69/1978) to streamline with Merchant Shipping Law Enact and enforce Maritime Labour Convention Law Enact Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Law Enact Civil Liability and Compensation for Oil Including Bunker Pollution Law Enact Protection of Life and Property at Sea Law Formulate a legal framework to regularise private port facilities Review and revise the License Regulation to accommodate International License Permit Review and revise the Maldives Civil Aviation Act (2001/2) to assign full autonomy to the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA) in ensuring safety of the sector Formulate and enforce Airport and Air Navigation Service (ANS) Charges Regulation as per the ICAO's Economic Policies and Guidelines Enact Passenger Rights Law to compensate passengers from flight cancellation, delays and off-loading | 2019 |
| Strategic Action Plan 19-23 | Vehicle inspection and maintenance | Review and revise regulations on the principles regarding inspection and quality standards on Maritime Training and Certification Strengthen the monitoring of road worthiness centres and enforce authorisation of road worthiness | 2019 |
| National Communication (NC). NC 2. | EV in water transport | designing and introduction of an efficient public ferry systems for better speed and fuel economy | 2016 |
| National Communication (NC). NC 2. | Green shipping program | designing and introduction of an efficient public ferry systems for better speed and fuel economy | 2016 |
| First NDC | Relocation from climate-risk areas | the commercial port would be relocated to a different island called Thilafushi. | 2016 |
| First NDC | Shipping improvement - General | To increase the capacity and reduce the impacts of high winds and seas to the operation of the port | 2016 |
| National Communication (NC). NC 2. | Shipping improvement - General | designing and introduction of an efficient public ferry systems for better speed and fuel economy | 2016 |
| Low Carbon Strategy for Transport Sector | Education and behavior change - General | Promote low carbon transport modes as “Smart Choices” in order to influence people's behavior towards more sustainable modes. Promote Public Awareness on Low Carbon Transport. Awareness Programs to Reduce Negative Public Pressure | 2014 |
| Low Carbon Strategy for Transport Sector | Freight and logistics improvements - General | Establish ferry links for freight logistics for tourist resorts. | 2014 |
| Low Carbon Strategy for Transport Sector | Green shipping program | Promote Low Carbon Vessel Technology | 2014 |
| Low Carbon Strategy for Transport Sector | Shipping efficiency improvements | The integrated ferry transport system for Male' Urban Region must replace the existing spoke and hub system, where all ferries must always transit Male' as the hub, as well as reduce idle time at the terminals or harbors. | 2014 |
| Low Carbon Strategy for Transport Sector | Shipping improvement - General | Development of Hybrid Vessels The integrated ferry transport system for Male' Urban Region must replace the existing spoke and hub system, where all ferries must always transit Male' as the hub, as well as reduce idle time at the terminals or harbors. | 2014 |
| Low Carbon Strategy for Transport Sector | Solar energy | Promote the Use of Solar Power on Vessels | 2014 |
| National Strategy for Sustainable Development | Public transport intermodality - General | Establish an integrated public passenger transport | 2009 |
| Third National Environment Action Plan | Public transport intermodality - General | By 2011, establish an integrated, energy efficient public passenger transport service. | 2009 |
| National Strategy for Sustainable Development | Shipping improvement - General | Establish effective solutions for the reduction of harmful impacts of maritime travel such as waste and oil disposal. Technologies needed for the marine transport sector are: scheduled ferry system, regional ports and hubs (integrated tourism and fisheries service centres); organized cargo delivery; hybrid vessels | 2009 |
| National Strategy for Sustainable Development | Shipping port infrastructure improvements | Focus on possible alternatives to transport to Male' for freight and passengers including the appropriate development of the regional ports as hubs. Technologies needed for the marine transport sector are: scheduled ferry system, regional ports and hubs (integrated tourism and fisheries service centres); organized cargo delivery; hybrid vessels | 2009 |