Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) is conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the harbour development project in Kooddoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll.
Speaking to PSM News, Manager Mohamed Shameem said MTCC is making final preparations to begin development of the harbour and that the site will be mobilised this week. He said that the new harbour would have enough space to dock five boats, easing the convenience of boats arriving for fish processing and collecting ice.
The scope of the project include 90m sheet pile works, construction of a 365m quay wall, 33,300cbm new harbour basin dredging operations, 56,216cbm maintenance dredging operations, 89,516cbm backfilling and reclamation operations, construction of a 325m breakwater, an 87m revetment, and installation of harbour lights. The value of the project is USD5 million.
Kooddoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, holds a fish processing facility of Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO). Fishermen have expressed concern over the small and shallow harbour in the island. MTCC stated that fishing vessels have to wait in long queues at the 300ft harbour, as only three vessels can be docked for fish processing at a time. The state-owned company aims to develop a 400mt harbour and connect it to the existing one.