Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has said that they would work to clear 150 containers each day except Fridays during the month of Ramadan.
Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has said that they would work to clear 150 containers each day except Fridays during the month of Ramadan.
In a press conference held at MPL today, Head of Port Operations Ilyas Mohamed said that they aim to clear 150 containers per day on full operation, and a 100 containers on half days.
He said that like other years, this year, too, precedence will be given during Ramadan to clear perishables and general cargo at the earliest.
Container clearance will be conducted on all days except Fridays during Ramadan, they said.
Ilyas said that space constraints at the MPL port pose difficulties in unloading goods. Due to this, efforts will be undertaken in the next two months to transfer empty containers to Thilafushi. Building of the container terminal is contracted to MTCC.
'At the start of last year, 3000 containers were kept here. Now we can keep about 5100 containers. We were working then on expanding the available space," he said.
Although additional space has been sought, it is still not enough to cater to the amount of imports brought in, he said.
Ilyas further said that previously general cargo was unloaded from two vessels simultaneously, three vessels can be attended to at a time now. Nineteen additional staff have also been appointed for this work, he said.
He said that highly perishable goods will be kept in the godown, and a temporary tent has been set up in Hulhumale' as well, which will offer ease in bringing in food produce.
Sign In
