President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's administration aims to relocate the harbour to Thilafushi by 2026 and commence operations.
The decision regarding which party will develop the Commercial Harbour after its relocation to Thilafushi, located in Kaafu atoll, has not yet been made. However, discussions are underway with three foreign companies, said Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) CEO Mohamed Wajeeh Ibrahim today.
He said that MPL was in talks with China's China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), UAE's Dubai Port World, and the Philippines' International Container Terminal Services (ICTS).
Wajeeh said that the companies will be considered for the harbour development project.
"The harbour will be operated by MPL. No discussion has been made to hand over harbour operation to any party," he said.
Wajeeh said that the goal was to identify the company that will develop the harbour by next month and sign the agreements. He said that the companies are currently proposing their conditions for the project.
The current administration has decided to relocate the commercial harbour currently in the capital city Male' to Thilafushi. Approximately 100 hectares of land is currently being reclaimed for this purpose. Previously, the government of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had reclaimed 20 hectares for MPL's use.
Therefore, it was decided that the 20 hectares of land will be allocated for port services, and another 80 hectares will be reclaimed from the area. The work is being carried out on a contractor finance basis. The design of the facility is currently being finalized.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's administration aims to relocate the harbour to Thilafushi by 2026 and commence operations.
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