Malé Commercial Port to be Fully Relocated to Thilafushi by November 2026

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has set 11 November 2026 as the deadline for the complete relocation of the commercial port from Malé to Thilafushi, describing the project as the government’s highest-priority initiative.

Speaking at a ceremony held on Sunday to mark the Maldives’ 61st Independence Day, President Muizzu said the relocation would ease congestion in the capital, expand port capacity and support economic growth.

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The President said the commercial port had remained confined within limited space in Malé despite years of discussion about relocating it. He said the government had now begun work on the relocation and expected the port to be fully established in Thilafushi by 11 November 2026.

President Muizzu said all relevant government institutions would prioritise the work required to relocate and expand the port. He also reaffirmed that the facility would remain fully owned and operated by the Maldivian government, with no shares, stakes or involvement from other parties in its operation.

The President said the project would demonstrate the government’s commitment to delivering tangible results in addressing the country’s economic challenges.

The announcement follows remarks by Economic Development, Transport and Trade Minister Mohamed Saeed earlier this month that construction work on the relocation project would begin in July. Saeed said the foundation stone for the project was scheduled to be laid on 6 July.

The minister said the relocation was intended to address long-standing infrastructure constraints affecting the Maldives’ import-dependent economy. He said the existing commercial harbour, built around four decades ago, had not expanded in line with population growth and increasing tourist arrivals.

He said the Maldives now requires logistics capacity to support around 2.4 million people annually, including residents and more than two million tourists.