The design work for the canary as part of MIFCO's main production hub expansion project in Lh. Felivaru has begun.

Sharing the latest information about the project, which was initiated as part of an MoU signed between a Chinese contractor and the government, Felivaru Regional Manager Mishal Ahmed said the current canary in MIFCO is over 40 years old.

He said the new canary would increase the efficiency of Felivaru operations as well as the production capacity to a large extent, thus increasing the production of fish products.

"That's something we've been asking for a lot. I appreciate the government's decision to expedite the project," Mishal said.

Commenting on the work of The Canary, Ahmed Abdulla, Engineering Consultant, MIFCO said that the existing canary was established in 1976 and was suitable for that time. But with the evolving technology, the new canary is a fully automated facility.

"It will become a state-of-the-art canary in the South Asian region," Ahmed said.

The canary at Felivaru will be built on a contract finance basis at a cost of USD 40 million.

MIFCO aims to complete the project by 2026.

Sharing the latest information about the cold storage work being carried out by an Indian company, including canary, which is part of the scope of the Felivaru Expansion Project, MIFCO's Engineering and Project Department Manager Mohamed Shameem said that although the government or private sector has not yet put in place a system to procure fish in the northern part of the country and store it by cooling and storing the fish. Fishermen can easily fish directly into the Felivaru.

Pointing out that it was a cold storage of 4,000 tonnes, Shameem said that with cold storage, 200 tonnes of brine freezing and an RSW system of 80 tonnes would be installed, adding that the project would help Felivaru to grow 280 tonnes more fish per day.

"By the time the project is completed, the fishermen will be assured that they will be able to weigh their catch at Felivaru daily," Shamim said.

Shameem pointed out that the setting up of cold storage at Felivaru would end the long journeys of fishermen from the north to fish to Kooddu, while the cost of fuel by northern fishermen would be greatly reduced.

Felivaru cold storage project, which is valued at USD 22 million, is also part of the expansion project.

The project was awarded to Indian firm Rainek India Ltd on January 18, 2023, at a cost of USD 800 million line of credit by Exim Bank of India.