CARGOCONNECT-APRIL2026 - Flipbook - Page 56
Hussain Shafiu
Manager– Cargo Development – Air Service Development/
Commercial Division, Maldives Airports Company
}BY 2030, VELANA AIMS
TO FIRMLY CONSOLIDATE
ITS POSITION AS A
TRANSSHIPMENT HUB IN
THE INDIAN OCEAN~
Strategic air freight corridors are increasingly being
developed to connect even regional airports, enabling
faster cargo movement and expanding uplift capacity across
global networks. Within this evolving landscape, Velana
International Airport (MLE) is steadily strengthening its role
in the Indian Ocean’s air cargo ecosystem. From expanding
terminal capacity to tapping emerging trade lanes, Hussain
Shafiu, Manager– Cargo Development – Air Service
Development/Commercial Division, Maldives Airports
Company, walks UPAMANYU BORAH through how the airport
is positioning itself as a key transshipment hub, highlighting
the impact of its upcoming cargo terminal and the roadmap
for strengthening cargo operations through 2030.
H
ow did the new
cargo terminal
change daily
throughput or
operational e昀케ciency?
The new cargo terminal,
inaugurated in early 2024,
marked a major step in
strengthening MLE’s cargo
operations. With the new
facility, handling capacity has
e昀昀ectively tripled, enabling
the airport to process up to
150,000 tonnes annually, while
also introducing specialised handling capabilities
for cargo such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, and
dangerous goods. This expansion is already re昀氀ected in
operational performance. Since the terminal’s opening,
cargo throughput has increased by 12% YoY. In 2025,
MLE handled and connected over 22,323 tonnes of
outbound cargo, of which 73% comprised transshipment volumes connecting to destinations in North
America and Europe, representing a 22% YoY increase
in transshipment tra昀케c.
Temperature-controlled cargo is critical. How
is MLE upgrading its cold chain ecosystem?
With the opening of the new cargo terminal, MLE
expanded its temperature-controlled storage and
handling capabilities, crucial for the Maldives’ main
export, 昀椀sh, which requires strict cold chain management. As volumes of temperature-sensitive cargo grew,
MLE also moved toward CEIV Pharma and CEIV Fresh
certifications to strengthen its pharmaceutical and
perishable cargo handling standards.
Which trade lanes do you see emerging as key
for the Maldives’ cargo — Middle East, Southeast
Asia, or India?
MLE sits at a strategic junction connecting the Indian
subcontinent, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe,
and the CIS region. This geographic position allows us
to facilitate cargo 昀氀ows across multiple regional and
long-haul trade lanes. Currently, a signi昀椀cant share
of cargo originates from nearby hubs such as Dhaka,
Colombo, Chennai, and Bengaluru, with onward connections to major international gateways including
London Heathrow, New York JFK, and Moscow. Looking
ahead, Velana sees strong potential in strengthening
cargo 昀氀ows along the Europe–Asian Paci昀椀c corridors,
where MLE can serve as a regional connection point.
Where do you see Velana’s cargo operations
by 2030?
By 2030, MLE aims to 昀椀rmly consolidate its position
as a transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean. Through
continued investment in cargo infrastructure, expanded
airline connectivity, and enhanced specialised handling
capabilities, MLE is developing a broader cargo ecosystem
that supports regional cargo 昀氀ows and global trade
connectivity.
“In 2025, MLE handled and
connected over 22,323 tonnes
of outbound cargo, of which
73% comprised transshipment
volumes connecting to
destinations in North America
and Europe, representing
a 22% YoY increase in
transshipment traffic.”
