The government is working on a permanent solution to ease congestion at the Malé Commercial Harbour while temporarily relocating some port operations to Thilafushi.
The update was announced by Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed in a social media post following four successful trial operations to load empty containers onto vessels at Thilafushi.
Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has been implementing measures to reduce congestion and operational challenges at the Malé Commercial Harbour and improve port services.
According to the minister, congestion at the commercial harbour has affected the unloading of goods for many years. He said the government of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu is working to permanently address the issue by relocating commercial harbour operations to Thilafushi.
The government aims to complete the full relocation of commercial harbour operations to Thilafushi by November 2027, in line with a commitment made by President Muizzu in his Presidential Address. As an interim measure, Thilafushi is being used for empty container operations to help reduce congestion while the permanent facility is developed.
MPL carried out its first trial operation to load empty containers onto vessels berthed at the quay wall in Thilafushi on 3 May. The latest operation involved loading 372 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers onto the vessel MV Celestia in less than 24 hours. MV Celestia is the fourth vessel to successfully berth at the Thilafushi facility.
Thilafushi has also been designated as a depot for storing, cleaning and repairing empty containers, with a capacity of 3,000 TEUs. MPL said the temporary arrangement is expected to ease pressure on the Malé Commercial Harbour and improve services for traders and shipping companies until the new commercial port is completed.
