Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has introduced a new digital Harbour Portal aimed at improving the management of harbour operations and simplifying services for vessel owners, operators and crews at Velana International Airport.

The online platform has been developed to centralise vessel registration and harbour-related services while improving coordination between MACL and harbour users. The company stated that the system will also help maintain accurate records of vessels using the harbour and make day-to-day operations more efficient.

MACL said the portal will be introduced in phases, with the first stage focusing on vessel registration and awareness. Information sessions have already been held for vessel owners, while harbour staff are engaging directly with vessel crews to assist them with the registration process. Registration will remain open until July, after which all vessels using the harbour will be required to be registered and obtain a valid permit.

Once the system is fully operational, harbour users will also be required to submit requests for harbour access through the portal before using its services. MACL said further details on the permit process and implementation arrangements will be announced before the new requirements come into effect.