Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has commenced the development of a jetty area for the new cargo terminal under construction at Velana International Airport (VIA).
The jetty area is part of the cargo terminal complex developed in VIA. MACL said the jetty will be equipped with all necessary amenities including dedicated cranes to load and unload air cargo safely.
MACL said the construction of the concrete structure and roofing of the cargo terminal were completed last June, while masonry and plastering of the structure along with the installation of some drywall frames are ongoing. Moreover, MACL noted the installation of the fire pump house wall and slab formworks as well as mechanical, electrical and plumbing work are in progress.
The development of the new cargo terminal complex was contracted to China-based Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG), the same company which completed the construction of a new Code F runway at VIA. MACL said the new terminal cargo complex would be 50% larger than the complex currently in operation. MACL noted the 12,000 square-metre cargo terminal will come with an export and import terminal along with a host of office spaces.
Located at the western side of VIA, the new cargo terminal complex is expected to significantly increase the processing capacity of cargo at the airport. It is estimated that 120,000 tonnes per year will be processed which is more than 50% processed by the existing cargo terminal. The project is scheduled to be completed by early 2021.