Government begins dredging for Nilandhoo fish factory under Chinese‑built project

Dredging work has begun for the fish processing factory in F. Nilandhoo, the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources confirmed Saturday.

The project includes the construction of a port and a fish packing facility capable of processing 50 tonnes of fish per day, according to the ministry. A 1,500 metric tonne cold storage unit will also be built under the same project.

The government has awarded the construction of fish processing factories in three regions to Dongfang Electric International Corporation, a Chinese company. The factories are part of efforts to address long‑standing challenges in Maldives’ fish processing sector.

The factory in Nilandhoo was initially planned for Dh. Maadheli, but the location was later reassigned. The other two factories are planned for Lh. Felivaru and G.Dh. Fiyoari.

ފ.ނިލަންދޫގައި ޤާއިމްކުރާ ދަޅުގައި މަސް ބަންދުކުރާ ކާރުޚާނާއަށް ބޭނުންވާ ބިން ހިއްކުމާއި ބަނދަރު ހެދުމުގެ މަޝްރޫޢުގެ ޢަމަލީ މަސައްކަތް 14 މާރޗް 2026 ގައި ވަނީ ފަށާފައެވެ.

މި މަޝްރޫއުގެ ދަށުން ޤާއިމްކުރާ ކާރުޚާނާގައި ދުވާލަކު 50 ޓަނުގެ މަސް ދަޅު ބަންދުކުރެވޭނެެ.އަދި މި… pic.twitter.com/hvbxAsFPYu

— Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (@MFORmv) March 15, 2026

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has previously held discussions with the Chinese Ambassador to explore investment opportunities in Maldives’ fish packing industry.

The ministry said the Nilandhoo factory will support regional fisheries and improve storage and export capacity for processed fish.