The Maldives recorded strong growth in its sea-to-air cargo operations in July, with 633 tonnes of cargo exported through the service, reflecting the country’s growing role as a regional transhipment and logistics hub.
Statistics released by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) show that 633 tonnes of cargo were transported from the Maldives through the sea-to-air cargo service during July, representing an 88 percent increase compared with the 335 tonnes handled through the service in the previous month. The increase demonstrates the expanding utilisation of the Maldives’ maritime and aviation infrastructure for international cargo movement.
During July, sea-to-air cargo originating from maritime shipments was transported onwards from the Maldives to 10 countries through six international airlines. The total volume handled during the month was equivalent to 131 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), highlighting the increasing scale of cargo being transferred through the country’s integrated sea and air transport network.
The six international airlines involved in transporting sea-to-air cargo during the month were Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Swiss Air and Turkish Airlines. The participation of major international carriers provides the Maldives with access to extensive global aviation networks, enabling cargo arriving by sea to be efficiently connected with destinations across the Middle East, Europe and other international markets.
July also became the busiest month in the history of Velana International Airport for transhipment cargo exports. Total transhipment cargo handled during the month exceeded 2,000 tonnes for the first time. Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) stated that this was the first occasion in the airport’s history that more than 2,000 tonnes of transhipment cargo had been handled within a single month.
The record reflects the expanding commercial capacity of Velana International Airport beyond its primary role as the Maldives’ main international passenger gateway. With its extensive international airline connectivity and continuing improvements to national aviation infrastructure, the airport is increasingly positioned to support cargo movement between regional and international markets.
The sea-to-air cargo model enables shipments arriving in the Maldives by sea to be transferred to air freight services for onward transportation to destinations around the world. By combining maritime transportation with the speed and global connectivity of air freight, the service provides businesses and logistics operators with an alternative route for international cargo distribution.
The service is jointly provided by Maldives Airports Company Limited and Maldives Ports Limited, bringing together the country’s principal international airport and commercial port infrastructure. More than 17 airlines are now connected to the sea-to-air cargo service, providing significant opportunities for further expansion as cargo volumes and international partnerships continue to develop.
The Government has identified sea-to-air cargo operations as an area with considerable potential to contribute to economic diversification and strengthen the Maldives’ position within regional logistics networks. Similar multimodal cargo services are widely utilised internationally and can generate economic activity across aviation, maritime transport, freight forwarding, warehousing, ground handling and other supporting industries.
The Maldives is particularly well positioned to develop the sector due to its geographical location in the Indian Ocean and the large number of international airlines already operating to the country. Its location along important maritime routes, combined with direct air connectivity to major international aviation hubs, provides opportunities to facilitate the movement of cargo between Asia, the Middle East, Europe and other markets.
The continued expansion of sea-to-air cargo services also complements the Government’s broader efforts to strengthen national transport infrastructure, improve connectivity and develop new economic activities beyond the country’s traditional industries. Increasing cargo throughput can create additional commercial opportunities for ports, airports, airlines and logistics companies while supporting the development of the Maldives as a competitive international transhipment destination.
The substantial increase recorded in July, together with the new transhipment cargo record at Velana International Airport, indicates growing demand for the service and demonstrates the potential for further expansion as the Government and relevant state-owned companies continue developing the Maldives’ maritime and aviation logistics capabilities.
advertisment
advertisment
