The Maldives shipped a total of 329 tonnes of cargo through its sea-to-air cargo service in December last year, with consignments delivered to 20 countries, according to official statistics. The performance highlights the growing role of the Maldives not only as a world-renowned resort destination, but also as an emerging logistics gateway connecting ocean freight with fast air links via Velana International Airport, supporting time-sensitive trade and high-value shipments moving across global supply chains.
Sea-to-air cargo is a logistics service that enables goods transported by sea to be transferred onward by air to international destinations, a model widely used in global trade to optimise transit times and logistics costs. In the Maldivian context, the service is designed to leverage the country’s strategic location along major shipping routes and its strong international air connectivity, offering traders and logistics providers an efficient alternative for moving freight when speed, reliability, and careful handling are essential.
In the Maldives, sea-to-air cargo operations are jointly managed by Maldives Airports Company Limited and Maldives Ports Limited, ensuring coordination between port-side cargo handling and airport-side onward distribution. The service, launched on 15 May 2024, is currently connected to more than 17 international airlines operating through Velana International Airport, creating a practical network for exporters, importers, and freight forwarders to route goods onward to a broad range of markets.
Data released by MPL shows that cargo was transported to 20 countries through 10 airlines during December alone, reflecting strong operational flexibility and the ability to match cargo with available airline capacity. The total volume of shipments amounted to 329 tonnes, equivalent to 66 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) based on container measurements, underscoring the service’s ability to handle consistent volumes while aligning with standard container-based logistics planning and reporting.
The continued expansion of sea-to-air cargo since its launch signals growing confidence in the service and its potential to support a wider range of industries connected to the Maldives, including the premium resort sector that relies on timely delivery of specialised supplies and high-quality goods. With the Maldives already served by a wide network of international airlines, industry stakeholders see scope to further increase cargo volumes and expand the service in the coming period, strengthening the country’s value proposition as both a luxury tourism hub and a reliable link in international trade routes.
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