News Desk
A long‑awaited shipment of cooking gas is due to reach the Maldives in the coming week, with officials indicating it will arrive by or before 18 February, offering relief after weeks of market disruption.
The shortage, which triggered public frustration across Malé and the atolls, is understood to have stemmed from operational lapses within Maldives Gas, the state‑linked importer responsible for the bulk of domestic supply. Senior officials familiar with the matter say the parent company, State Trading Organisation (STO), has stepped in to stabilise the situation and prevent a repeat of the disruption.
According to individuals with direct knowledge of the discussions, STO is preparing to take over procurement responsibilities previously handled autonomously by Maldives Gas. The move marks a significant shift in the subsidiary’s operational independence and reflects growing concern within government circles about the reliability of the country’s gas supply chain.
Maldives Gas, a joint venture between STO and Champa Gas and Oil Company, is the largest importer of cooking gas in the country. The company operates a single storage facility in Thilafushi with a capacity of 1.2 metric tonnes. Efforts to diversify storage — including projects in Thinadhoo and Gemanafushi — have stalled, with no visible progress to date. Unconfirmed reports suggest the government is now considering a new storage site in S. Hulhudhoo to strengthen supply resilience in the south.
The domestic gas market is effectively split between two players: STO, representing the government side, and Villa Gas, owned by the Maamigili Tycoon. But STO has faced increasing difficulty sourcing gas from its own subsidiary in recent weeks, prompting the current intervention.
Despite the turbulence, officials insist there is no ongoing shortage. STO has assured the public that supply will normalise swiftly once the incoming shipment is unloaded and distributed, and that preparations are under way to ensure uninterrupted availability ahead of Ramadan — a period of heightened household demand. Officials note that during last year’s Ramadan the market remained stable, with essential goods widely available, and say the President has instructed agencies to give particular attention to food security and price stability throughout the holy month, according to government sources.
While the immediate shock has strained distribution, the government maintains that the disruption is temporary and will be fully resolved once the new stock reaches the country.
