Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) is increasing capacity at its empty container depot in Thilafushi as pressure on existing port infrastructure in the Greater Malé region continues to build. The expansion is positioned as a near-term measure to ease congestion at Malé Commercial Harbour and the Hulhumalé International Terminal, both of which have faced ongoing space constraints.
The depot, which began operations in September 2025, currently holds up to 1,600 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). MPL is now undertaking land levelling and infrastructure upgrades to raise capacity to 3,000 TEUs, nearly doubling its current handling capability.
Empty container depots play a supporting role in port logistics by managing the storage, maintenance, and redistribution of containers. By shifting these functions away from active port terminals, MPL aims to reduce bottlenecks and improve turnaround times for vessels and cargo handling.
The expansion comes as part of a broader transition in the country’s port infrastructure. The relocation of the main commercial port to Thilafushi remains a central component of this shift, with the depot expansion serving as an interim step to manage operational pressures.
In February 2026, the first phase of the relocation project was awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company for design and survey works. MPL has indicated that initial surveys of quay walls, covering both domestic and international operations, have been completed ahead of schedule.
Further work is ongoing, including geotechnical studies and terminal layout planning. MPL is targeting the full relocation of port operations to Thilafushi by 2027, aligning with the government’s broader infrastructure development plans.
