Construction of the Thilafushi Commercial Port is set to begin within three months, according to the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL). This decision follows almost two decades of discussions and proposals about relocating the main commercial port. Originally planned for Gulhifalhu, the port will now be built in Thilafushi.
MPL Chief Operations Officer Ilyas Mohamed emphasized that successive governments have pushed for the port’s relocation for 18 years without substantial progress until now. “We have already spoken to some people, and the proposals have been prepared. We hope that the practical work will start within the next few months,” he stated.
The Indian Line of Credit Facility will significantly support the relocation and construction efforts, covering 75% of the project’s costs. The total estimated cost for the port’s construction is USD 400 million (approximately MVR 6.1 billion).
The initial plans by the previous government involved a smaller port in Gulhifalhu. The Indian government announced that the construction work for the port would be awarded to a company in March of this year.
