In a milestone for the Maldivian fishing sector, the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company Plc (MTCC) and Japanese marine-engine maker Yanmar have unveiled a bespoke Refrigerated Sea Water (RSW) system engineered specifically for Maldives-based fishing vessels. The inauguration, held on 31 October 2023 in GDh. Madaveli, was officiated by Ahmed Shiyam, the Minister of Fisheries & Marine Resources.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of a commemorative plaque to vessel owner Sodiq Hassan, whose boat “Kamana Odi” became the first to adopt this RSW unit under the joint MTCC–Yanmar rollout. Among the attendees were Jackson Zhan (Managing Director, Yanmar Asia Singapore), MTCC Managing Director Ahmed Saudhee, and local governance representatives from Madaveli island.
Environmentally friendly and cost-efficient solution
The new system uses a CO₂-based refrigerant (R744) to chill seawater on-board, offering a greener alternative to traditional ice-based preservation. MTCC emphasises that the system reduces reliance on frequent ice replenishment, lowers fuel and logistics costs, and minimizes post-harvest waste — thereby extending the vessel’s operational range and preserving catch quality. This aligns with government policy on marine sustainability and industry modernisation.
Government support and strategic rollout
To ease adoption, the Maldivian government has arranged the required foreign-currency inputs for the joint MTCC–Yanmar project and introduced a dedicated financing scheme via the SME Development Finance Corporation (SDFC). Loans under this scheme cover installation of the RSW systems, generators and solar-panel setups for interested fishing-vessel owners.
Long-standing collaboration, new era of fishing tech
The partnership marks more than five decades of engagement between Yanmar and the Maldivian fishing sector, with Yanmar engines widely trusted by local fishermen. The current initiative is positioned by MTCC as the next frontier: transitioning from reliable marine propulsion to advanced on-board refrigeration and fish-quality enhancement systems.
Industry implications
By delivering consistent cooling capabilities and reducing ice dependency, the RSW system is anticipated to improve product quality across the fleet — potentially raising market value and income for fishermen. The system’s user interface has been designed for ease of learning by vessel operators. With the government’s backing and the scalable model, deployment across more Maldivian vessels is expected.
