MPL Trial at Thilafushi Reduces Container Wait Times to Ease Male' Congestion

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has successfully completed its first trial berthing operation at the Thilafushi quay wall, marking a critical step in alleviating severe space constraints at the Male' Commercial Harbour. During the trial, MPL loaded 394 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of empty containers onto the MSS Galena, operated by Maldives State Shipping (MSS). The entire operation was completed within 20 hours, demonstrating a significant increase in efficiency compared to current processes. Currently, the process of unloading goods and reloading empty containers at the Male' Commercial Harbour can take several days. MPL expects the new empty container depot at Thilafushi to drastically reduce the time vessels spend in port, thereby streamlining operations and reducing congestion in the capital's primary commercial hub. The Thilafushi facility features a 60-metre quay wall and possesses a storage capacity of 3,000 TEUs. Beyond storage, the depot is equipped to handle the cleaning and repair of empty containers. This facility serves as a temporary strategic solution until the construction of the new international commercial harbour in Thilafushi is finalized. This move aligns with a broader government strategy to overhaul the nation's logistics infrastructure. In his Presidential Statement to the Parliament earlier this year, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced that the Male' Commercial Harbour is scheduled for complete relocation to Thilafushi by November next year. Once the relocation is complete, the government anticipates that container clearance times will drop to just 48 hours. This efficiency is expected to lower import-related costs for businesses, which the administration believes will eventually translate into lower prices for consumers across the archipelago.