Commercial Harbour to shift to Thilafushi by Nov 11 next year: President

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the Male' Commercial Harbour will be shifted to Thilafushi on November 11 next year. 

The idea of moving the Commercial Harbour to Thilafushi was first raised seven years ago. Consecutive governments aimed to do so, but the project remains unfulfilled. 

In his annual Presidential Address in parliament today, President Muizzu announced that the project to construct the two kilometre keywall and paving, as well as construction for the harbour shift will be contracted in mid-2026. 

This work can be completed and the harbour at Thilafushi made operational by November 11, 2027, he asserted. 

Once the harbour is shifted to Thilafushi, goods that currently take seven days to unload can be unloaded within just 48 hours, the President said. The period of storing goods at the harbour can also be extended, bringing down costs of bringing in goods as well, he added. 

These changes will also bring down the prices of goods, posing benefits to the general public, he said. 

The shift will also see goods stored in Male' warehouses and wholesale businesses also mainly transferred to Thilafushi, President Muizzu said. 

The move will also allow easy docking for goods supply boats, minimize the time spent at the port for unloading, and speed up transfer of goods to the atolls, he said. 

It will also alleviate inconveniences currently faced due to warehouses being located around capital Male' City at present, the President continued, also easing congestion at the busy local market and MPL area. 

The current Commercial Harbour was established in 1985. This poses many challenges in making optimum use of the harbour with modern facilities. Businesses have also often raised complaints of delays in clearing goods.