Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) is set to expand the capacity of the empty container depot on Thilafushi industrial island, as part of efforts to ease ongoing space constraints at Malé Commercial Harbour and Hulhumalé International Terminal.
The facility, which has been operational since September 2025, currently accommodates up to 1,600 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Work is now underway to increase capacity to 3,000 TEUs through land levelling and infrastructure upgrades.
An empty container depot functions as a key logistics hub, enabling the storage, cleaning, repair and repositioning of shipping containers. The expansion is expected to improve operational efficiency for shipping lines and reduce congestion at active port terminals.
The move is intended as an interim solution ahead of the planned relocation of the main commercial port to Thilafushi, a major project aimed at modernising the Maldives’ maritime infrastructure.
The first phase of the relocation project was awarded in February 2026 to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for design and survey works. MPL said initial surveys of both domestic and international quay walls have already been completed ahead of schedule.
Ongoing work includes geotechnical assessments and terminal layout planning, with MPL targeting the full relocation of port operations to Thilafushi by 2027, in line with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s development agenda.