Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has commenced efforts to upgrade the North Harbour in Malé, aiming to ease congestion and provide more accessible services for both the public and commercial users.
The North Harbour, one of the busiest sections of the capital, sees dozens of vessels loading and unloading cargo daily. With growing pressure on space and operations, MPL is undertaking phased development to introduce new storage facilities and improve the availability of services such as water and fuel supply.
Part of MPL’s strategy includes relocating selected harbour operations to Thilafushi, the nearby industrial island. This move is expected to significantly reduce vessel movement within the congested North Harbour zone, particularly by diverting cargo destined for islands that previously transited through Malé.
In addition, MPL is working to establish designated cargo unloading zones to better manage traffic flow in the harbour area and surrounding roads. Development planning is being carried out in a way that ensures current services remain uninterrupted during the transition.
The harbour area under MPL’s management spans from its existing site to the intersection near the local market, adjacent to the fish market. It was officially handed over to MPL on 4 July, under an agreement with the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.
The project forms part of a wider initiative to enhance logistics infrastructure in the Greater Malé Region, balancing the need for efficiency with long-term development goals.
