The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has announced a major expansion of the country’s cold-chain infrastructure, increasing the number of operational ice plants serving the national fishing fleet to 23.
The announcement was delivered by MIFCO Chief Executive Farhath Shaheer during the inauguration of a newly commissioned 30-tonne capacity ice plant in Meedhoo, Dhaalu Atoll. Developed under a presidential pledge, the facility is intended to ensure that fishermen have reliable access to ice, a critical resource for preserving the freshness of marine catch.
Shaheer highlighted that MIFCO’s strategic objective is to deliver essential services to fishermen in the most complete manner possible. He noted that the availability of ice plant services is vital not only for the fishing community and MIFCO, but also for other parties involved in the purchase and distribution of fish across the country.
The expansion reflects a marked reversal in the operational status of key infrastructure. Many ice plants had previously remained unused, Shaheer said. Over the past three months, only 13 ice plants under MIFCO’s authority were actively serving fishermen from the northernmost to southernmost reaches of the country.
Government-led efforts have since reactivated dormant facilities and established new ones, bringing the total number of service points to 23.
“We must announce today, with immense satisfaction, that through the dedicated efforts of the government, and incorporating the facility we are inaugurating, 23 ice plant services will now be accessible to our fishing community, spanning the entirety of the Maldives from the north to the south,” Farhath stated.
The operational enhancement is expected to support growing market demand for fresh fish. Buyers of reef fish, bigeye tuna, and skipjack increasingly require that catches be handled and sold with freshness uncompromised, Shaheer noted. With the expanded network, fishermen will be better equipped to preserve the quality of their catch, ensuring that high-grade products reach end-users.
Shaheer also reiterated MIFCO’s ongoing responsibility. The company’s mandate, he clarified, extends beyond the establishment of ice plants to their continued operation and maintenance, with a focus on delivering complete and reliable service to fishing communities.
The government’s broader commitment includes the strategic placement of ice plants across various regions and the facilitation of easy access for fishermen. A central aim of this national initiative is to reduce the time and distance required to obtain ice, improving operational efficiency and supporting livelihoods.