The Malé Commercial Harbour modernisation project is one of the projects most closely linked to the Maldives’ trade and economic development, Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed said.
In a social media post, Minister Saeed highlighted the importance of the Malé Commercial Harbour and the priority President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has given to advancing the project. He said modernising the harbour in line with current economic realities would accelerate trade and make commercial activity easier.
Minister Saeed said relevant authorities had considered such a transformation for many years. However, the country's main commercial harbour remains largely at the level at which it was first established in Malé, with only minor developments made over the years.
He said President Dr Muizzu had taken the initiative to change this situation and begin practical work, while addressing several other major challenges facing the Maldives with wisdom. Amid changes on the global stage and numerous economic challenges, Minister Saeed said the President continued to demonstrate with determination that the country could not simply be left to fall into poverty.
Minister Saeed said a leader's responsibility was to confront challenges and difficulties, work sincerely and steer the country out of such circumstances. He said President Dr Muizzu continued to demonstrate this commitment.
As work to transform the Malé Commercial Harbour progresses, Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has shared its latest update on the project. Maldives Transport and Contracting Company Plc (MTCC) has completed work on the 100-metre quay wall, while paving work at the yard is now under way and is expected to conclude in early October.
MPL is developing the area for domestic operations. Once the work is complete, vessel cargo clearance operations currently carried out at the Malé Commercial Harbour can be transferred to Thilafushi.
Work is also under way on additional infrastructure required to begin vessel cargo clearance operations in Thilafushi. MPL teams are developing temporary facilities comprising a workshop, canteen, office, crew waiting area and mosque.
China Harbour Engineering Company is carrying out work on the 375-metre quay wall for the international port and part of the two-kilometre domestic quay wall in Thilafushi. Forty per cent of the reclamation required for an 820-metre quay wall has been completed, while MPL said construction of precast units for the quay wall will begin next month.
Under the project schedule, work on the domestic quay wall is due for completion by the end of November this year, while the international quay wall is scheduled for completion in July 2027.
Alongside the infrastructure development, MPL has begun procuring equipment required for port operations. The procurement covers two ship-to-shore cranes and one mobile harbour crane, which MPL aims to bring to Malé before 15 October 2027. MPL is also working to appoint contractors for additional infrastructure development in Thilafushi.