Maldives Targets Nationwide STO-Rate Fuel Access by November 2027
Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed speaking at the press conference held in the President’s Office on May 7, 2026 | Photo: President’s Office
The Maldivian government aims to establish fuel sheds across every atoll and city in the country by November 2027, enabling fishermen and local residents to purchase fuel at official State Trading Organisation (STO) rates, according to Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed.
Updating the project’s progress in a post on X, Minister Saeed confirmed that fuel sheds have so far been constructed and brought into operation across eight islands in eight separate atolls. The initial locations providing the service comprise:
- Haa Alif Atoll: Ihavandhoo
- Haa Dhaalu Atoll: Hanimaadhoo
- Shaviyani Atoll: Milandhoo
- Raa Atoll: Dhuvaafaru
- Baa Atoll: Eydhafushi
- Faafu Atoll: Nilandhoo
- Dhaalu Atoll: Meedhoo and Kudahuvadhoo
ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ޑރ މުޙައްމަދު މުޢިއްޒު ވަޢުދުވެވަޑައިގެންފައިވާ ފަދައިން ކޮންމެ އަތޮޅެއްގައިވެސް މަސްވެރިންނާއި ރައްޔިތުންނަށް އެސްޓީއޯ ރޭޓުގައި ތެޔޮލިބޭނެ އިންތިޒާމް ޤާއިމުކުރުމަށް ފެށި މަސައްކަތް ހަލުވިކަމާއެކު ދަނީ ކުރިއަށް.
— Mohamed Saeed (@em_saeed) September 26, 2026
މިހާތަނަށް 8 އަތޮޅެއްގެ 8 ރަށެއްގައި… pic.twitter.com/JVJd0akaS7
According to the minister, regional access to STO fuel prices fulfils a key pledge made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu during his presidential campaign, intended to lower energy expenses outside the capital region.
The minister further stated that the government expects the expanded infrastructure to reduce operational expenses for the fishing fleet and commercial maritime enterprises, while cutting down on long sea travel previously needed to source lower-cost fuel across the outer atolls.
