Ministry Sets Deadline for Unregistered Fishing Vessels to Secure Fuel Subsidies

Officials from the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources state that all unregistered wild-capture fishing vessels must complete their registration on the “Fahi Hakatha” portal by 15 September 2026 to remain eligible for the state fuel subsidies.

According to authorities, under key structural updates to the national fuel subsidy mechanism, access to subsidised diesel has now been made strictly contingent on portal registration. While the digital platform previously managed general fuel duty exemptions for maritime craft, officials announced that transitioning all subsidy requests and allocations to the system is necessary to streamline distribution and enhance operational oversight across the sector.

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Ministry sources state that the mandatory registration drive comes as global oil prices surge sharply due to ongoing Middle East conflicts, placing direct pressure on local energy rates. Officials highlight that the government has implemented these targeted relief measures through the initiative to shield the domestic fishing industry from economic shocks, maintaining fixed, lower rates to ensure core maritime operations remain active and financially viable.

To support registered operators, authorities report that the government has broadened its subsidised fuel distribution network from four original hubs to 15 key maritime regions across the northern and southern atolls. Officials explain that under the standardized framework, diesel allocations are distributed based on vessel capacity, supplying up to 5,000 litres for vessels over 85 feet, 3,000 litres for vessels between 50 and 85 feet, and 1,500 litres for vessels under 50 feet. Eligible participants in state-supported purchasing frameworks can access diesel at MVR 17.54 per litre, according to the Ministry.

Furthermore, reports indicate that in addition to expanding physical access, authorities have introduced new credit mechanisms to ease liquidity challenges for vessel owners. Officials state that authorised fuel suppliers and official purchasing partners have finalised terms allowing operators to procure fuel on credit directly at regional distribution points, automatically offsetting fuel expenses against the proceeds of landed catches within 48 hours of reconciliation.

Reports also note that industry representatives previously identified centralised digital tracking and flexible credit arrangements as critical priority areas during recent consultations with government officials. Authorities expect the digitised system and expanded regional network to significantly reduce operational downtime and lower overall voyage costs for local crews once full portal compliance is achieved.