The Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources has said that a total of seven new ice‑manufacturing plants will be commissioned before the close of 2026, bringing the government’s ice‑production capacity to its highest level since taking office.
Speaking at a press briefing in the President’s Office, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources, Ahmed Shiyam detailed the progress of the programme, noting that five plants—already operational—now supply a combined 140 tonnes of ice daily to fishing communities across the atolls.
According to the Minister, the government has accelerated the work on three sites that are near completion, while the remaining projects are moving from the planning stage into construction.
Ice plants slated for completion by end of 2026
Veyvah (Meemu Atoll) – 60 tonnes
Naifaru (Lhaviyani Atoll) – 40 tonnes
Maabaidhoo (Laamu Atoll) – 25 tonnes
Maavah (Laamu Atoll) – 10 tonnes
Hithadhoo (Laamu Atoll) – 10 tonnes
Ukulhas (Alifu Alifu Atoll) – 5 tonnes
Kudarikilu (Baa Atoll) – 5 tonnes
In addition to the end‑year targets, the Minister announced a second phase that will see eleven 30‑tonne facilities operational by June 2027. The upcoming sites include Kulhudhuffushi (Haa Dhaalu Atoll), Hulhudheli (Dhaalu Atoll), Mulah (Meemu Atoll), Dhaandhoo (Gaafu Alifu Atoll), Gaafaru (Kaafu Atoll), Dhidhdhoo (Haa Alifu Atoll), Rasdhoo (Alifu Alifu Atoll), Rathafandhoo (Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll), Nilandhoo (Faafu Atoll), Villingili (Gaafu Alifu Atoll) and Komandoo (Shaviyani Atoll). Although Gaafaru already hosts a modest plant, the government will replace it with a larger unit after local fishermen petitioned for higher output.
When the new installations are fully functional, the aggregate capacity of the 23 plants will rise by roughly 630 tonnes per day, a leap that the Ministry says will significantly alleviate the chronic ice shortage that hampers daily catches, especially in the northern atolls.
The expansion runs parallel to another initiative that equips fishing vessels with onboard cooling systems—technology that, according to Minister Shiyam, remains under‑utilised in the north compared with the south.