DTIS, Volume I - Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)

other, with all the appropriate support functions such as customs, aircraft-servicing,
baggage-handling, retailing, and so on. As recommended below, the possibility does exist
to create an airport/seaport facility that will fulfil exactly such an interchange role, not
only between long haul and domestic air transport, but also between foreign-going and
domestic sea transport as well.
Third, in regard to training and human resource development, the Centre for Maritime
Studies has a well-established presence as a capable training establishment, but it is a
curious anomaly that there is no comparable training establishment in the aeronautical
sector. The project for the establishment of an aviation-training institute that is under
consideration at the Ministry of Planning will be able to meet this need. As air traffic
increases, and despite the deployment of supportive navigational systems, the operational
load on air traffic controllers will increase. There must be the certainty that air traffic
controllers are appropriately trained and that their physical working conditions are
supportive, and that they are remunerated in accordance with the level of responsibility
they bear.
VI. Maritime Transport
Maritime transport is the aorta of the economy. Without it, the main tourism and fishery
sectors cannot thrive. Inter-island transportation services are deregulated and supply and
demand determines the price of services. Indeed, the tourism resort industry has
established its own services using fast going energy efficient fibreglass vessels to reduce
costs of transferring passengers. Service providers for transporting goods are small
private companies, typically operating a wooden hull vessel (or dhoni) of varying sizes.
For the transport of heavy-duty items such as construction material and TEU size
containers, only the Maldives Transport and Construction Company (MTCC), the main
semi-privatised service provider, is able to handle these using barges piloted by tugs. To
many small-scale stakeholders (traders, fishing vessel owners, producers and craftsmen),
the services on offer are inadequate as timely deliveries are very difficult to schedule.
There are also major issues relating to maritime transport infrastructure that need to be
resolved.
A. MALDIVES PORT AUTHORITY (MPA)
The port infrastructure at national and regional levels falls within the jurisdiction of
Maldives Port Authority (MPA) and the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
There is an on-going procedure to separate the MPA from responsibilities concerning the
two recently established seaports located in the north, at Kulhudufushi (Haa Dahlu atoll),
and the south, at Gan (Seenu atoll), to which passengers and goods are ferried from the
Maldives Commercial Harbour (MCH). A Regional Port Authority is under
establishment and will become the owner and operator of these regional ports. The small
harbours on the inhabited islands fall within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Atolls
Administration.
87