The government will commence construction this month to relocate the Malé Commercial Harbour to Thilafushi, addressing infrastructural stagnation constraining the import-dependent nation, according to Mohamed Saeed, the Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade. He outlined the project timeline during a briefing at the President’s Office. The foundation will be laid on 6 July, aiming to relocate operations by November 2027.
Existing maritime infrastructure has failed to expand with surging demand. A growing domestic population and an annual influx of over two million tourists have placed immense strain on the outdated system. Minister Saeed noted the logistical capabilities required to support 2.4 million people have lagged behind expansive tourism developments driving the economy. “Yet, we continue to operate a port constructed four decades ago,” he observed.
Aligning maritime capacity with aviation upgrades at Velana International Airport requires immediate intervention. The minister attributed the definitive commitment to advance this project to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. “Action is only realised when a government formally resolves to execute it,” Minister Saeed remarked, assuring the administration is actively executing the necessary labour.
Interim measures are active ahead of the ground-breaking ceremony. Authorities have developed a designated storage area for empty shipping containers on Thilafushi to ease the strain on existing logistics.