Malé, Maldives – The State Trading Organisation (STO) is set to inaugurate its much-anticipated international offshore bunkering service in the northern Maldives on September 19, 2024. The first vessel to receive this service will be YC Barrier, a cargo ship operated by Maldives State Shipping Limited (MSS). This vessel, which travels regularly between Colombo and Malé City, carries around 1,100 containers and consumes over 200 metric tons of fuel per month.

Currently, YC Barrier receives bunkering services in Colombo, but the new STO service will allow vessels to refuel closer to home, potentially lowering operating costs and reducing downtime. STO revealed that the service is already receiving bookings ahead of its official launch.

In addition to bunkering services, STO plans to provide passing vessels with essential provisions such as water, food, and minor repair services. The northern Maldives, positioned near strategic trade routes in the Indian Ocean, presents an ideal location for this service, allowing STO to tap into maritime traffic.

This service is part of STO’s larger effort to expand its maritime operations and capture a share of the international shipping market passing through the region.