- Empty container operations are being shifted to Thilafushi as a temporary measure to ease congestion at Malé Commercial Harbour.
- Four trial operations have been completed, with the latest loading 372 TEUs onto MV Celestia in under 24 hours.
- The government plans to fully relocate commercial harbour operations to Thilafushi by November 2027.
Empty container operations are being shifted to Thilafushi as a temporary measure to reduce congestion at the Malé Commercial Harbour, while the government works towards relocating the harbour’s operations by November 2027.
Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed said four trial operations have now been completed at Thilafushi, allowing empty containers to be loaded onto vessels berthed at the newly developed quay wall.
The latest operation involved loading 372 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) onto MV Celestia in less than 24 hours. The vessel became the fourth to berth successfully at Thilafushi since Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) conducted the first trial on 3 May.
Minister Saeed said congestion at the Malé Commercial Harbour has affected the unloading of goods for several years. The current administration is seeking a long-term solution while introducing interim measures to improve the movement of cargo.
The government plans to relocate commercial harbour operations fully to Thilafushi by November 2027, in line with a commitment made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in this year’s Presidential Address.
Thilafushi is already being used as a dedicated depot for storing, cleaning and repairing empty containers. The facility has a capacity of 3,000 TEUs.
MPL expects the arrangement to provide temporary relief for traders and shipping companies until the new commercial port is completed.
