Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has been awarded the design and building of the Harbour Development Project in Kurinbi, Haa Dhaalu Atoll.
The agreement was signed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTCC Adam Azim and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Zeeniya Hameed.
Kurinbi has a population of 752 residents and fishing is their main source of income. Therefore, it is important for the residents to have a harbour capable of providing enough berthing space for their fishing and merchant vessels. Currently, the existing harbour is too small for the requirement of the island vessels and as a result, many large fishing and merchant vessels are not able to access or use this harbour properly. Additionally, the breakwater of the old harbour is also in dire need of repair after many years of continuous use.
MTCC stated the size of Kurinbi harbour will be more than doubled and the residents will gain access to a fully modernised harbour that can provide enough berthing space for large fishing and merchant vessels. The scope of the project includes harbour dredging operations of 34,561cbm, channel dredging operations of 2,040cbm, reprofiling and rectification of 69m existing breakwater, construction of a new 226m breakwater, construction of a 70m revetment, construction of a 314m quay wall and paving an area of 1,561.61sqm. In addition, the installation of harbour lights, navigational lights, mooring buoys, a ramp, and an access platform will be carried out.
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be conducted as part of the project. The value of the project is USD2.8 million and it is to be completed within 365 days.