MPL begins FCL container clearance at Thilafushi Cargo Terminal

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has begun clearing Full Container Load (FCL) containers at the Thilafushi Cargo Terminal (TCT), marking the first operation relocated to Thilafushi under the project to shift the Male' Commercial Port. The service commenced today at the 100-metre quay wall in Thilafushi, constructed by Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). Initially, MPL has started clearing FCL containers arriving by sea as direct delivery (DR), along with services for returning empty containers. However, food items and medicines will continue to be cleared at the Male' Commercial Port and Hulhumale' International Terminal for the time being. MPL CEO Captain Hussain Shafeeq said that employees worked hard to relocate the cargo clearance service to Thilafushi, and acknowledged support from the Maldives Customs Service and the Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade. He added that less-than-container-load (LCL) cargo clearance services will also be provided at Thilafushi in the future. Most containers arriving at the Male' Commercial Port are FCL containers cleared by sea, with many currently being cleared at Hulhumale' International Terminal. Relocating these operations to Thilafushi is expected to ease operations at the local quay wall, according to MPL. As part of the port relocation project, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) is constructing a 375-metre quay wall, targeted for completion by July next year. Land reclamation for an 820-metre domestic quay wall has also begun. The port, which will cover 60 hectares, is expected to initially handle 390,000 TEUs annually, increasing to 1.8 million TEUs upon full completion. The international container quay wall will be 14.6 metres deep, with the ability to extend to 1.4 kilometres. A domestic quay wall of over two kilometres is also planned. The port will feature two ship-to-shore cranes and one mobile harbour crane upon opening, and is expected to reduce vessel turnaround time from the current 7-14 days at the Male' Commercial Port to about two days. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who visited Thilafushi on the 1st of this month, said the first phase of the project will be completed and opened on November 11 next year, adding that the new port will be four times larger than the current Male' port and will open a major door for the economy.