Thilafushi Container Depot to Double Capacity as Interim Port Solution

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) is expanding the capacity of its empty container depot on Thilafushi to relieve congestion at the Malé Commercial Harbour and Hulhumalé International Terminal. Operational since September 2025, the current facility can hold 1,600 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Construction is now underway to level land and upgrade infrastructure, aiming to more than double that capacity to 3,000 TEUs. These depots are vital logistics hubs where shipping containers are stored, cleaned, repaired, and repositioned. The expansion is expected to boost efficiency for shipping lines and reduce operational bottlenecks at the main terminals. This project serves as a critical interim measure ahead of the complete relocation of the country's main commercial port to Thilafushi, a cornerstone initiative to modernize the Maldives' maritime infrastructure. The larger relocation project's first phase, involving design and survey works, was awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) in February 2026. MPL reports that initial surveys of domestic and international quay walls have been finished ahead of schedule. Current work includes geotechnical assessments and terminal layout planning. MPL is targeting the full transfer of port operations to Thilafushi by 2027, aligning with the national development agenda of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.