CHEC to Build Thilafushi Port Keywalls to Solve Malé Harbour Congestion

China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) has secured the contract to construct the international and domestic keywalls for the port development project on the industrial island of Thilafushi. The agreement was signed by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) CEO Hussain Shafeeq and CHEC Country Manager Mao Bao during a special ceremony. The project involves the construction of two critical structures: a 375-metre-long keywall with a depth of 14.6 metres to accommodate large international container vessels, and an 820-metre-long keywall with a 5-metre depth dedicated to domestic freight ships serving inter-island transport. This infrastructure expansion is a cornerstone of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to relocate the congested commercial harbour from the capital, Malé, to Thilafushi. Currently, chronic bottlenecks at the Malé harbour often force cargo vessels to wait up to five days to clear their goods. MPL estimates that the new facilities will slash cargo clearance times to approximately 48 hours, creating a sustainable trade hub designed to serve the Maldives for the next 30 years. Beyond operational efficiency, the relocation will free up significant waterfront space in Malé for other government development projects. The move aims to modernize the nation's maritime logistics sector by speeding up loading and unloading operations and reducing vessel turnaround times. This contract follows a previous agreement awarded to the Maldives Trading & Co. (MTCC) on June 1, which covers a 100-metre domestic quay and the paving of a three-hectare area. Upon completion, the Thilafushi development will feature a comprehensive network including a 1,000-metre keywall and a 2,000-metre keywall connecting the North and South-West harbours, complemented by a domestic terminal in Malé. The government has set a completion deadline for the entire project for November 11 of next year.