MTCC’s Mahaa Jaraafu will hereafter be operated by an all-local crew

Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has changed the crew working on board its dredger, Mahaa Jaraafu, to locals.

The change was announced by MTCC’s Managing Director Adam Azim in a press conference on Wednesday evening.

MTCC procured Mahaa Jaraafu, which loosely translates as “mega dredger” in 2017. The 92.95 meter long vessel is the largest in the Easydredge series of standard twin-screw trailing suction hopper dredgers, designed and built by Royal IHC.

The original crew on Mahaa Jaraafu had included 10 foreign workers.

MTCC announced that starting this Wednesday, the vessel will be operated by an all-local crew of 14; including the captain, two chief officers, second engineer, four pipe operators, electro technical officer, additional crew members, and cooks.

Azim said the change will save MTCC USD 1 million per annum, and that the locals on the crew are no less proficient in terms of education and experience.

“This change is a message to young Maldivians who wish to work as seafarers, that there are people in Maldives who have reached this level of expertise,” he said. “Today, MTCC is proving there are excellent seafarers here in Maldives.”

Azim said MTCC will be training more locals to serve on the Mahaa Jaraafu in the days to come.

The vessel has been used for 13 projects so far, including land reclamation for airport development in H. A. Hoarafushi, and Sh. Funadhoo.

The vessel is currently being used for land reclamation in K. Guraidhoo, and three islands being developed by Centara Hotels and Resorts.