President Reviews Progress of Malé Commercial Harbour Relocation Project
The President received an update on key construction milestones and ongoing works.
Thilafushi, 01 October 2026 – President Dr Mohamed Muizzu visited the new port development site in Thilafushi today to review progress on the relocation of Malé Commercial Harbour. He was welcomed to the site by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) Chief Executive Officer, Captain Hussain Shafeeq and MPL’s management.
During the visit, MPL officials briefed the President on the progress of construction and ongoing developments at the site. The first 100 metres of the inner harbour quay wall have been completed, while land levelling and road construction works continue. Backfilling of the inner harbour is also progressing, with approximately 40 per cent completed. In parallel, the production of precast concrete blocks and procurement of essential machinery and equipment are under way, alongside the process of selecting a contractor for the terminal buildings.
The new port will span 60 hectares and initially accommodate an annual capacity of 390,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), with the potential to increase to 1.8 million TEUs upon completion of the full development. The facility will include a 375-metre international quay wall with a depth of 14.6 metres, designed to accommodate international container vessels, as well as dedicated infrastructure for domestic port operations.
The new facility is expected to significantly improve cargo handling efficiency and reduce vessel turnaround times. With the introduction of ship-to-shore cranes and additional cargo-handling equipment, the port will support increased capacity and more efficient maritime operations.
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to commencing commercial port operations at the new site by November 2027. The relocation marks a significant step towards modernising the Maldives’ port infrastructure and strengthening its role in regional and international trade.
During the visit, MPL officials briefed the President on the progress of construction and ongoing developments at the site. The first 100 metres of the inner harbour quay wall have been completed, while land levelling and road construction works continue. Backfilling of the inner harbour is also progressing, with approximately 40 per cent completed. In parallel, the production of precast concrete blocks and procurement of essential machinery and equipment are under way, alongside the process of selecting a contractor for the terminal buildings.
The new port will span 60 hectares and initially accommodate an annual capacity of 390,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), with the potential to increase to 1.8 million TEUs upon completion of the full development. The facility will include a 375-metre international quay wall with a depth of 14.6 metres, designed to accommodate international container vessels, as well as dedicated infrastructure for domestic port operations.
The new facility is expected to significantly improve cargo handling efficiency and reduce vessel turnaround times. With the introduction of ship-to-shore cranes and additional cargo-handling equipment, the port will support increased capacity and more efficient maritime operations.
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to commencing commercial port operations at the new site by November 2027. The relocation marks a significant step towards modernising the Maldives’ port infrastructure and strengthening its role in regional and international trade.