Government Targets 2027 to Fully Relocate Male Commercial Harbour to Thilafushi

The Maldivian government is pursuing a permanent solution to eliminate chronic congestion at the Male Commercial Harbour, with plans to fully relocate port operations to Thilafushi by November 2027. Minister of Economic Development, Transport, and Trade Mohamed Saeed announced the strategy following the successful completion of four trial operations in Thilafushi. These trials focused on the efficient loading of empty containers onto vessels, marking a critical step in reducing the bottleneck at the capital's primary port. Minister Saeed noted that the congestion at the commercial harbour is a long-standing issue that has hindered the unloading of essential goods and remained unresolved by previous administrations. The current administration, under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, is now prioritizing a systemic overhaul to ensure smoother logistics for traders and shipping companies. As a temporary relief measure, Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has established a dedicated depot in Thilafushi for the storage, cleaning, and repair of empty containers. This facility currently boasts a capacity of 3,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), effectively diverting a significant portion of low-priority traffic away from the Male harbour. The effectiveness of this shift was recently demonstrated during the loading of the MV Celestia, the fourth vessel to berth at the Thilafushi quay wall. MPL reported that 372 TEU containers were loaded onto the vessel in less than 24 hours, showcasing the operational efficiency of the temporary site. While the Thilafushi depot provides immediate breathing room for the logistics sector, the government remains committed to the 2027 deadline for a complete transition. Once the new commercial port is finalized, it is expected to modernize the nation's supply chain and permanently resolve the operational challenges that have plagued the capital's waterfront for years.