Vessel Declaration Service Now Available on Tradian for Parallel Submission

Tradian, the Maldives’ National Single Window system, is proud to announce that the Vessel Declaration service is now available on the platform for parallel submission. 

This parallel submission period is from 10th May to 11th June 2026.

This marks an important milestone in the country’s journey toward fully digital trade, enabling shipping agents to begin using Tradian while maintaining existing submission channels during the transition period.

With this rollout, users now have the flexibility to submit Vessel Declarations either through Tradian or through the current processes used by individual agencies. 

This approach is designed to ensure a smooth and practical adoption of the service ahead of its full transition to the platform.

Let’s take a closer look at this service and its significance to trade in the Maldives.

What is Vessel Declaration? 

When a foreign-going vessel enters or leaves Maldivian waters, it must undergo a Vessel Declaration process. 

This service ensures that authorities are fully informed about who and what is entering or departing the country’s ports.

The declaration includes essential details such as:

• Dangerous goods or hydrocarbons on board

• Security and health declarations

• Sanitation questions, including the presence of rats or recent illnesses

• Crew and passenger lists

• Crew effects and ship stores

The process also covers key health and safety aspects, including whether anyone on board has shown symptoms of diseases monitored by the World Health Organization (WHO) within the past seven days.

As such, it can be considered of vital importance to the safety of our nation and international trade.

Who Is It For?

This service is primarily designed for local shipping agents, who are responsible for managing the administrative requirements of vessels operating in and out of the Maldives. 

Through Tradian, shipping agents can now begin submitting these declarations digitally, reducing reliance on email-based communication and physical documentation.

To complete a submission, agents are required to provide relevant information and upload supporting documents such as voyage records, port clearances, health certificates, security documentation, and other regulatory forms depending on the nature of the vessel’s journey.

What Do You Need?

As part of the Vessel Declaration process, shipping agents are required to upload specific supporting documents, which may vary for arrivals and departures. 

These include:

• Last 10 Ports / Voyage Memo – A record of the vessel’s recent port calls.

• Last Port Clearance – Proof that the vessel has been cleared by the previous port authority.

• Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate – Confirms compliance with international health regulations.

• Medicine Chest Certificate or Medicine List Copy – A record of on-board medical supplies.

• Ship Particular – Detailed specifications and identification of the vessel.

• Bond Store List – Inventory of duty-free stores kept on board.

• ISSC (ISPS Certificate) – International Ship Security Certificate under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.

• Garbage Management Plan / Oil Record Book – Documentation of waste and oil management procedures.

• NIL List – A declaration indicating no prohibited or undeclared items are on board.

• Ship Security Plan Summary – An outline of the vessel’s security measures.

Why Does It Matter?

The Vessel Declaration service is a crucial checkpoint in ensuring national safety, public health, and environmental protection.

It allows the Maldivian government to know who is arriving and what is being brought into or taken out of the country, helping prevent the entry of hazardous goods or potential health risks.

Beyond compliance, it also requires efficient coordination between government agencies and port operators, ensuring vessels can be processed quickly and safely while maintaining strict oversight.

Moreover, this service is one of the key steps towards the Maldives achieving full compliance with the Facilitation and Logistics Convention (FAL Convention) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

The FAL Convention calls for trade to be made paperless and digital, removing many of the existing barriers to trade around the world. 

By working to become compliant with the Convention, we ensure that trade in the Maldives meets international standards.

Behind the Service

Vessel Declaration is a coordinated effort involving multiple Cross Border Regulatory Authorities (CBRAs), each responsible for reviewing specific aspects of the application.

Some examples include:

• Maldives Customs Service (MCS): Final approval authority and can place a hold on a vessel if necessary.

• Maldives Ports Limited (MPL): Oversees port operations and logistical coordination.

• Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF): Reviews and approves the security declaration.

• Port Health: Verifies the health declaration and sanitary conditions on board.

• Immigration: Reviews crew and passenger information.

• Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade (MEDTT): Holds regulatory authority and can impose holds when required.

Each authority reviews submissions based on their respective mandates, from security and immigration to health, port operations, and customs compliance. 

By bringing all of these stakeholders into a single platform, Tradian enables a more streamlined and transparent review process.

Parallel Submissions

The introduction of parallel submission allows shipping agents to choose how they submit their Vessel Declarations during this initial phase. 

Applications can be lodged either through Tradian or through the existing systems and processes currently used by individual agencies.

This flexibility is intentional. It ensures that users can gradually adapt to the new system without disruption, while authorities continue to process applications as usual. 

Over time, the goal is to fully transition all submissions onto Tradian, creating a unified and fully digital workflow.

As mentioned before, the parallel submission period for this service is from 10th May to 11th June 2026.

Additional Updates

In addition to the publicly available Vessel Declaration, Tradian is also adding some specialised services that are available to specific authorised organisations.

Two of the most noteworthy are the Fireworks Permit and the Flares Permit.

The Fireworks Permit is specifically available for SIFCO, who are the authorised entity responsible for handling such controlled materials in the Maldives.

Their inclusion highlights Tradian’s growing ability to support not only high-volume trade processes but also tightly regulated workflows that require strict oversight from authorities such as the Ministry of Defence and National Service and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

Impact of the Service

The launch of the Vessel Declaration service on Tradian represents a significant step forward in modernising maritime and trade operations in the Maldives. 

By digitalising a process that has traditionally relied on manual paperwork and email exchanges, the platform introduces greater efficiency, accuracy, and accountability.

This transformation supports stronger coordination between agencies, faster processing times, and improved oversight of vessels entering and leaving the country. 

It also contributes to national priorities such as public health, environmental protection, and security by ensuring that critical information is captured and reviewed in a timely and structured manner.

More broadly, this initiative is part of the Maldives’ ongoing efforts under the Maldives 2.0 digitalisation strategy to build a smarter, more connected, and more resilient trade ecosystem. 

It also aligns with international standards such as the Facilitation and Logistics Convention (FAL Convention) of the International Maritime Organization, which promotes paperless and efficient global trade.

Getting Started

Shipping agents can now begin submitting Vessel Declarations through Tradian by logging into www.tradian.gov.mv.

As the service continues to roll out, users are encouraged to explore the platform, familiarise themselves with the submission process, and begin transitioning to digital applications.

For any assistance or further information, users can reach out to Tradian support (Tel: 3334001), where the team is ready to help ensure a smooth experience.

More updates will be shared as the platform continues to expand.