MPL says Thilafushi Port relocation will ease North Harbor congestion

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has stated that with the completion of work at Thilafushi Port and the relocation of commercial port activities to Thilafushi, the difficulties currently faced by boats in North Harbor will be resolved. During a meeting held today where senior officials from MPL were presented before the State Owned Enterprises Committee (SOE Committee) of the People’s Majlis, MPL Chief Executive Officer Hussein Shafeeq stated that the current space available in North Harbor is not adequate. He also said that with the relocation of the commercial port to Thilafushi, there will be a 2.3-meter quay there. Senior officials from MPL were presented before the SOE Committee in connection with a motion submitted to the Majlis regarding the challenges faced by cargo-carrying vessels. That motion sought clarification on the information regarding the long time taken for boats to enter North Harbor and the difficulties currently faced by boats. CEO Hussein Shafeeq stated that relocating the port to Thilafushi would bring ease to the difficulties currently being faced in transporting goods. During today’s meeting, North Harbor Section Manager Mohamed Azar stated that two or three additional boats arrive in North Harbor every month. Noting that although North Harbor operations began with 80 boats, this number has now increased to 149, he stated that between 25 and 34 additional boats are added each year. He also stated that regulations have been amended to reduce congestion.