Cargo clearance at Male' Commercial harbour rise significantly last week

The number of cargo shipments cleared through Male' Commercial Harbour rose significantly last week compared with the previous week, figures show.

A total of 1,540 TEUs were cleared, up from 1,359 TEUs the week before. This included 500 20-foot containers, 540 40-foot containers, and 500 consignments of perishables.

Among the perishable goods cleared were 14,061 cases of eggs, 7,749 gunny bags of onions, 7,785 bags of watermelon, 5,244 cases of potatoes, 5,243 cases of tomatoes, 3,647 cases of pineapple, 3,518 bags of cabbage, 2,805 bags of bananas, 989 bags of pumpkin and 1,144 gunny bags of sweet melon.

The rise in cargo handling comes as the government moves to stabilize food prices by declaring 23 categories of fruits, vegetables, eggs and grains as staple goods.

State Trading Organization (STO) has said it will import these products in bulk to ensure steady supply.