Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has stated the reclamation component of the port development project in Gulhifalhu will be completed by March this year.
Under Phase 1 of the port development project, Royal Boskalis Westminster of the Netherlands has been contracted to dredge and reclaim 6-million cubic metres in Gulhifalhu, and to provide 4-kilometres of shore protection in the reclaimed area. Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure said the reclamation component has already been completed, adding shore protection is currently ongoing. The ministry said the project is expected to be completed by March.
The government had planned to complete Phase 1 of the reclamation project and begin port development last year. However, the project was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The development of the international port in Gulhifalhu is expected to resolve the difficulties faced due to the lack of space in Male’ Commercial Harbour. Delivering the presidential address last year, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih noted the port will feature state of the art facilities, equipped to cater to 400,000 shipping containers on average per year.