Maldivian Technical Team Heads to China for Critical Bridge Maintenance Training

A five-member technical delegation from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development is traveling to China for a specialized training program focused on bridge maintenance and structural repair. The 10-day initiative, running from September 15 to 26, is designed to build local capacity and reduce reliance on foreign expertise for critical infrastructure upkeep. Currently, technical assessments and routine maintenance for the Sinamalé Bridge—also known as the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge—are managed by the project contractor, CCCC Second Harbor Engineering Company. While local personnel receive ongoing instruction from the firm, this dedicated program aims to impart essential operational expertise directly to Maldivian engineers. Prior to the team's departure, the Ambassador of China to the Maldives, Kong Xianhua, met with the delegation to discuss the program's goals. In a statement shared on X, the ministry described the training as a testament to the enduring friendship and continued cooperation between the Maldives and the People's Republic of China. The urgency of local capacity building was highlighted last week after two vessels collided with the Sinamalé Bridge. Although a prompt inspection conducted alongside CCCC Second Harbor Engineering Company confirmed that the bridge suffered only superficial exterior damage with no structural harm, the incident underscored the necessity of rapid-response maintenance capabilities. Inaugurated in August 2018, the 1.4-kilometre crossing is a landmark piece of infrastructure developed with Chinese financial assistance. Representing a USD 200 million investment, the bridge features seven massive marine pillars anchored into the seabed, serving as a vital transport link for the capital region.