With the rapid development of the tourism industry in the Maldives, the government of the republic of Maldives embarked on its long term development of harbours, airports, housing and other infrastructure. The tourism industry continued to grow and many large resort projects with joint venture partnerships got off ground. All these development projects required large amounts of cement, resulting in an increased price of cement in the Maldives. This led to the introduction of Marine Cement Limited ( a Swiss based cement trading / shipping outfit owned by Lafarge of France and Blue Circle of United Kingdom), as a share holder to form a joint venture with the State Trading Organization plc, registered under the Ministry of Trade and industries in the Maldives, in establishing Maldives Island Marine Cement pvt ltd. From January 2002 with the takeover of Blue Circle by Lafarge of France.

The company's silo terminal located in the fast developing industrial island of Thilafushi in North Malé ( Kaafu ) Atoll, and only six kilometers away from Capital Malé, has the ability to unload cement from bulk transport vessels from its dedicated mooring site located 80 meter off the shoreline. The fully enclosed unloading operation through two floating pipelines into three silos takes place under all weather conditions at an average rate of 220 mt/hr. the Terminal has a total storage capacity of 5400 mt in its three silos leading to a single in-line packing machine with a packing capacity of 30-50 mt/hr. an enclosed belt conveyor system conveys cement bags to a barge loading platform where local barges and dhonis of different sizes and shapes can be loaded for transporting cement to the islands.

With the intention of providing cement outer atolls affordably and conveniently the company started appointing its distributors to atolls during the year 2002. the company had achieved in employing a total of 11 distributors in 11 different atolls.

Further 5 atolls are being covered by the company's main sales agent and joint venture partner State Trading Organization plc.

The plant is also capable of lading to lorries for inland transport of cement in bags or in big bags. A big bag loading station and the tower crane allows for serving larger customers. The terminal infrastructure includes independent power supply, fuel and water storage, work and repair facilities, empty bag / spare parts stores, office and staff accommodation.

The company over the time has introduces new products into the Maldivian cement market of which first was the 1000kg jumbo bag, which is widely accepted by the contractors of large projects. Being customer driven and health conscious, the company launched its next product, the 25kg bag on May 2002, which is mostly targeted for customers acquiring cement for transportation to distant islands where lot of handling is required.

The company imports cement with the use of Marine Cement's thirteen ocean going bulk cement tankers, sourcing from Indonesia or Malaysia. The successful acceptance and integration of the Maldives Cement brand to the construction industry in the Maldives has realized the company to claim a market share of 35-45%. The company is among the first to be certified for ISO 9001:2000 in the country.