Congestion Reported at Male’ Commercial Harbour Following Increase in Vessel Arrivals

Delays have been reported in unloading cargo at Male’ Commercial Harbour after a rise in the number of new vessels calling at the port.

Maldives State Shipping (MSS) has stated that the increase in new ship arrivals has led to congestion, slowing down unloading operations. The company noted that cargo movement between Sri Lanka and the Maldives has also been affected. Flight delays and limited space on some of the newly operating vessels have contributed to disruptions, which may result in delays in the receipt of goods.

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MSS said it is working to identify the causes of the slowdown and to minimise the impact on customers.

The situation follows a major policy change introduced on 25 January, when Maldives Ports Limited opened uninterrupted access for foreign vessels to enter Male’ Commercial Harbour for the first time in more than 30 years.

According to the Transport Ministry, the reform was introduced to ensure safer vehicle movement within the port, strengthen permitting procedures, and provide pilotage services in line with international standards. The ministry stated that the new system reduces waiting times for vessels outside the harbour and lowers unnecessary operational costs.

The ministry described the move as a significant step towards establishing Male’ Commercial Harbour as an internationally reliable port. It added that the policy is expected to support the development of the Maldives’ maritime transport sector and contribute to an increase in vessel arrivals.