Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has announced plans to clear 150 containers per day, except on Fridays, during the month of Ramadan to ensure smooth import operations.
Speaking at a press conference, Head of Port Operations Ilyas Mohamed stated that the company aims to clear 150 containers daily when operating at full capacity, with 100 containers processed on half days. As in previous years, priority will be given to perishable goods and general cargo to facilitate timely distribution.
Container clearance will take place every day except Fridays throughout Ramadan. However, space limitations at the MPL port continue to present challenges in unloading goods. To address this, efforts will be made over the next two months to transfer empty containers to Thilafushi. The construction of a container terminal, contracted to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), is also part of long-term plans to ease congestion.
“At the start of last year, we had space for 3,000 containers. Now, we can store around 5,100 containers, and we have been working to expand the available capacity,” Ilyas said. However, he noted that the current expansion efforts still fall short of meeting the growing volume of imports.
MPL has also increased its operational capacity, allowing the unloading of cargo from three vessels simultaneously, compared to two vessels previously. Additionally, 19 new staff members have been recruited to support the clearance process.
To facilitate the handling of highly perishable goods, storage facilities have been prepared, including a designated godown and a temporary tent set up in Hulhumalé to improve the distribution of food produce.
The measures are expected to streamline port operations and ensure essential goods reach businesses and consumers without delay during Ramadan.
