Government begins dredging for Nilandhoo fish factory under Chinese‑built project

Dredging begins for the fish processing factory in F. Nilandhoo, March 15, 2026. (Photo/Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources)

The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources has officially launched dredging operations for a new fish processing facility in F. Nilandhoo. This infrastructure project, contracted to China’s Dongfang Electric International Corporation, aims to modernize the local fisheries sector by establishing a packing plant capable of processing 50 tonnes of fish daily, supported by a 1,500 metric tonne cold storage unit. Reassigned from its original site in Dh. Maadheli, the Nilandhoo plant is one of three regional facilities intended to overcome historical processing hurdles and enhance national export capabilities, with ongoing collaborative efforts between Maldivian and Chinese officials.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources began site preparation, including dredging and port construction, on March 14, 2026.
The project features a 50-tonne daily fish packing capacity and a 1,500 metric tonne cold storage facility.
Dongfang Electric International Corporation is the primary contractor for this and two other regional projects.
The facility, previously planned for Dh. Maadheli, will significantly bolster regional fisheries support and export efficiency.

Dredging work has begun for the fish processing factory in F. Nilandhoo, the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources confirmed Saturday.

The project includes the construction of a port and a fish packing facility capable of processing 50 tonnes of fish per day, according to the ministry. A 1,500 metric tonne cold storage unit will also be built under the same project.

The government has awarded the construction of fish processing factories in three regions to Dongfang Electric International Corporation, a Chinese company. The factories are part of efforts to address long‑standing challenges in Maldives’ fish processing sector.

The factory in Nilandhoo was initially planned for Dh. Maadheli, but the location was later reassigned. The other two factories are planned for Lh. Felivaru and G.Dh. Fiyoari.

ފ.ނިލަންދޫގައި ޤާއިމްކުރާ ދަޅުގައި މަސް ބަންދުކުރާ ކާރުޚާނާއަށް ބޭނުންވާ ބިން ހިއްކުމާއި ބަނދަރު ހެދުމުގެ މަޝްރޫޢުގެ ޢަމަލީ މަސައްކަތް 14 މާރޗް 2026 ގައި ވަނީ ފަށާފައެވެ.

މި މަޝްރޫއުގެ ދަށުން ޤާއިމްކުރާ ކާރުޚާނާގައި ދުވާލަކު 50 ޓަނުގެ މަސް ދަޅު ބަންދުކުރެވޭނެެ.އަދި މި… pic.twitter.com/hvbxAsFPYu
— Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (@MFORmv) March 15, 2026

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has previously held discussions with the Chinese Ambassador to explore investment opportunities in Maldives’ fish packing industry.

The ministry said the Nilandhoo factory will support regional fisheries and improve storage and export capacity for processed fish.

By Azhaar Abdul Azeez

Writer