Kulhudhuffushi, Maldives – The second vessel for the State Trading Organisation’s (STO) upcoming offshore oil bunkering service, MT Marine Bella, has arrived at Kulhudhuffushi port. With a fuel capacity of 4 million litres, MT Marine Bella carries 1.28 million litres more than the first vessel, MT Marine Angel, which arrived two days ago.

This development is part of STO’s strategic initiative to launch an offshore oil bunkering service in the northern Maldives later this month. The service follows an agreement signed with Vitol, the world’s largest multinational energy and commodity trading company, on March 13, 2024. Vitol will assist STO in marketing and fuel supply, enhancing the service’s reach and efficiency.

In addition to fuel, STO’s offshore service will provide water, food supplies, and minor repair services to ships passing through the region. The northern Maldives, strategically positioned near key international sea routes in the Indian Ocean, offers an ideal location for this new venture. As the largest state-owned enterprise in the Maldives, STO aims to leverage this prime location to expand its business and capitalize on the region’s bustling maritime traffic.

This new service is expected to significantly boost the local economy and enhance the Maldives’ position as a crucial maritime hub in the Indian Ocean.