Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has said that the increase to vessels docking at the North Harbor has made it difficult for them to cater to every vessel.

Senior MPL officials appeared before the Committee on State Owned Enterprises today after a letter was submitted to the committee regarding the difficulties faced by supply boats due to the recent guideline in making use of the Male' North Harbor that came into force.

The letter reads that it takes 10 to 15 days for a boat to approach the Male' North Harbor.

While answering questions from MPs regarding the issue, North Harbor Section Manager Mohamed Azar said they are seeing monthly increases to the number of boats at the harbor.

He stated that 80 boats were making use of the harbor as boats began their approach to the harbor, and that it has now gone beyond 149.

Azar went on to say that this issue did not occur suddenly and that congestion increased day after day. And even though the number of vessels increased, he highlighted that the lagoon has not been expanded and that the expansion of Boduthakurufaanu Magu has greatly narrowed the lagoon.

"We got to this point after congestion increased day after day. Around 80 boats is a high number. That is why there are delays. The North Harbor lagoon cannot be expanded further. The lagoon is still the same size. Even so, we are facing this difficulty due to the increase in the number of boats."

He said that the construction of the new harbor at Thilafushi will be a major solution to this problem.

When he was asked whether it has resulted in an increase in complaints due to difficulties faced by boats, Azar's answer was that they conducted a survey by talking to 104 boat owners and asked them what would be easiest for them. The results of the survey show that it would be easy for them to continue as is.

"We have surveyed 104 boats to see how matters can be made easier for them. The captains and owners said that the situation is the best it can be right now. The expansion of Boduthakurufaanu Magu has reduced the space in the North Harbor lagoon. Boats that leave and enter the North Harbor need to use the inside of the harbor."

Azar continued, stating that no matter how narrow the North Harbor is, the boats that leave and enter the harbor need to use the lagoon and that they are unable to double-bank due to how narrow the lagoon is. He said that boats being moored in rows, which was how it was previously, is a danger to safety even if a fire breaks out. However, he said that the recent change was a good step even when looking at it from a safety perspective.

"Having boats moor themselves in a row like how it was before is quite dangerous, even if a fire breaks out. Looking at the safety and security of boats now, boat owners say the current situation is better," said Azar at the committee meeting.

"Even so, what is happening is there is an increase in vessels to the point where we are unable to cater to all of them due to a lack of space. Boats were able to quickly turn when there were around 80 boats. There are difficulties now when boats attempt to roll when there are 149 vessels in the harbor."

Azar stated that the regulation has been amended to reduce congestion in the lagoon. Previously, boats cannot be noted in the queue unless they enter the North Harbor lagoon. Now however, boats can be noted in the queue if they need to right as vessels exit the North Harbor.

He said that an average of six vessels depart from the North Harbor daily and that the next six boats in the queue would be told to approach the harbor.

MPL CEO Hussain Shafeeq said during the committee meeting that the North Harbor has very little accommodation space and that they would get a 2.3 kilometer quay wall after the change to Thilafushi. He also said that the atoll shops in front of the North Harbor are on small, narrow roads, making it difficult to transfer goods in the area.

However, he said that the change to Thilafushi would see the shops be placed in front of the quay wall where the large warehouses would be. Shafeeq said the roads would be wider and that it would be easier for transportation.

According to Shafeeq, this change would make it easier for the company, entrepreneurs and fishermen seeking services from the North Harbor.