State-owned transportation firm, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has officially opened the Henveiru Ferry Terminal to private ferry operators, following a directive by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
The harbours of Male’ City are the busiest in the country with hundreds of vessels docking and departing daily. While space constraints are the biggest challenge faced in loading and unloading goods, and boarding and disembarking from vessels, the issue has been a concern for ferry and launch operators.
In response to these concerns, President Dr Muizzu had requested MTCC to open the Henveiru and Hulhumale Ferry Terminals to private ferry operators.
Following an announcement by MTCC, seven private speedboat operators had shown interest in utilising the ferry terminals. According to MTCC, the interested speedboat operators plan to cover routes to Fenfushi, Maamigili, and Dhidhdhoo in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll; Maafushi, Guraidhoo, Gulhi, Gaafaru, and Kaashidhoo in Kaafu Atoll; and Thulhaadhoo, Hithaadhoo, Goidhoo, Fehendhoo, and Fulhadhoo in Baa Atoll.
During a ceremony to open the terminal to public operators, MTCC’s CEO and former Deputy Commissioner of Police (Retd) Ahmed Saudy said the utilisation of the Henveiru ferry terminal by private operators will make service provision much easier for both the operators and passengers.
However, Saudy did reveal that there has not been much interest by private operators in the Hulhumale’ Ferry Terminal thus far.
"We believe that in the future, when the operators start to benefit from this, they will change the ferry schedules. For example, if someone has to get off at Hulhumale’ enroute to Male’, they will have the opportunity to drop them off at first before coming to Male’, Saudy explained.
He urged the private operators to pay attention to safety issues due to the busy nature of the Henveiru Terminal.
MTCC estimates that the terminal will be able to cater to 15 speedboat ferries per day carrying about 2,000 passengers. The Henveiru terminal can accommodate five speedboats at a time while the Hulhumale terminal can cater to three.
In addition, each vessel will have 30 minutes between the estimated point of departure and arrival at the jetty. A special waiting area will be arranged inside the terminal for passengers equipped with washroom facilities and drinking water for the convenience of passengers.
MTCC said it would improve the quality of service based on feedback and consultation from passengers and the public.