MALE: Gulf Craft’s Chairman Mohammed Hussein Alshaali welcomed a delegation from the Government of the Maldives to the Gulf Craft shipyard yesterday, led by His Excellency Mohamed Aslam, Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure; Her Excellency Aishath Nahula, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation along with Adam Azim, CEO of the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC).
The personal tour, hosted by Gulf Craft’s Chairman and Terry Stamatakos, General Manager of Gulf Craft Maldives, comes after the shipyard was awarded the MTCC contract earlier this year to manufacture a fleet of specially designed high-quality speed boats for use across the Integrated National Public Ferry Network. The delegation visited the production facility where the vessels are being built by the shipyard’s expert production team and were invited for a progress update and to inspect the boats, which are due to start being delivered later in 2021.
The new speed boats will offer a convenient and efficient transport system to all administrative islands of the Maldives, with capabilities to transport up to 53 passengers at a time and will connect the capital city to nearby islands. The vessels will be equipped with special packages for passengers travelling in emergency situations and will include access for stretchers and people with disabilities. The government officials praised Gulf Craft for the shipyard’s outstanding contribution to the Maldives economy. The public transportation project is one of the largest government initiatives, and will contribute to connecting the various islands of the Maldives upon completion.
Aishath Nahula, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation said: “Gulf Craft has been overwhelmingly thorough in executing this project for the Maldives. It’s been time efficient, and we’ve been offered the best of quality that Gulf Craft has delivered over the 20 years in the Maldives. Given it’s a public transport project for the country, the effort and dedication from the Gulf Craft team is remarkable. These vessels are going to complete our transport network and it’s going to play a decisive role in the day to day lives of the people. It’s truly a service to the nation.”
Mohamed Aslam, Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure said, “A reliable public transport ferry service throughout Maldives is one of the key pledges of the government. I am proud to acknowledge Gulf Craft is building the vessels for this service in Maldives.
Chairman AlShaali added: “We and the friendly people of Maldives have a long-standing relationship that goes far beyond our current project together. I still recall the day when we opened our factory doors twenty years ago in the presence of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. We are pleased to continue in building these distinguished relationships that unite us with the Government of the Maldives and its generous people.”
This year marks the twentieth anniversary for Gulf Craft Maldives operation which has played a pivotal role in developing the marine transportation network of the island nation.
Gulf Craft provides almost 80% of the Maldives’s water transport services which includes public transport, coast guard, emergency & ambulance services, resorts, and leisure sectors. With a strong and established presence in the country, Gulf Craft is now developing a new production facility dedicated to the manufacturing of vessels for use in the Indian Ocean which will see its operations and production capacity double within 16 months.
