The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has confirmed that 200 Maldivian seafarers have received Seafarer Identity Documents (SIDs) since 24 June 2024, marking a decisive step in revitalising the nation’s maritime sector.
The announcement closes a regulatory gap that persisted for nearly a decade, severely limiting employment opportunities for Maldivian maritime professionals. In a report published this week, the ministry credited the reform to a directive led by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
The SID, mandated under the International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention since 2016, had not been issued to Maldivian seafarers until mid‑2024. Without the credential, many were unable to secure positions aboard international liner vessels. Officials say the new system, aligned with standards recognised by the International Maritime Organization and the ILO, will significantly expand job prospects on foreign vessels and boost income opportunities.
Alongside the SID rollout, the ministry has introduced Certificates of Competency (CoC) to broaden career pathways within the sector. The programme targets individuals working on cargo vessels in the Near Coastal Area. Applicants who complete Certificate III in Marine Operations or Certificate III in Marine Engineering can obtain a CoC after passing an oral examination. Fourteen Deck CoC certificates have been issued over the past two years, enabling Maldivian seafarers to qualify for officer positions aboard coastal vessels.
The absence of SIDs had far‑reaching consequences. Some countries refused entry to Maldivian seafarers without the document, resulting in deportations and fines. By late 2023, recruitment companies had stopped offering jobs to Maldivians, triggering significant losses across the workforce.
The Transport Ministry affirmed that these challenges have now been resolved. Officials underscored that the coordinated effort, initiated under President Muizzu’s leadership, has restored vitality to a sector long in decline.
