Gov’t Amends Regulations for Foreign Tourist Vessels

The government has amended its regulations regarding foreign tourist vessels, now permitting only Maldivians to act as agents for these vessels arriving in the country. 

The first amendment to the ‘Regulation Governing Foreign Tourist Vessels Cruising and Harbouring in Maldivian Waters’ was announced yesterday.

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According to the amendment, only companies with Maldivian shareholders will be eligible to serve as agents for foreign tourist vessels. If the shareholders of such a company are another business entity—be it a company, partnership, or sole proprietorship—those shareholders must also be Maldivians.

Furthermore, foreign tourist vessels can only enter Maldivian waters after appointing a local agent. Passengers and crew arriving on these vessels will be required to participate in excursions led by licensed tour guides.

In addition, the Ministry of Tourism has revised the passenger licence fees applicable to these vessels. The new fees are structured as follows:

• Vessels smaller than 20 metres: USD 100 per day
• Vessels larger than 21 metres but smaller than 35 metres: USD 250 per day
• Vessels larger than 35 metres but smaller than 45 metres: USD 400 per day
• Vessels larger than 45 metres but smaller than 75 metres: USD 500 per day
• Vessels larger than 75 metres but smaller than 100 metres: USD 650 per day
• Vessels other than cruise liners larger than 100 metres: USD 750 per day
• Cruise liners larger than 100 metres: USD 850 per day

Another significant change in the amendment is the renaming of the ‘Charter License’ to ‘Passenger License,’ along with the introduction of an additional fee. This passenger licence will be issued following the submission of the required documentation and payment of the daily fee based on the vessel’s size, which remains unchanged. An extra fee of USD 5 per passenger will be levied on all passengers aboard the vessel, to be collected and paid by the vessel itself.