Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has officially commenced commercial cargo operations at the Thilafushi Cargo Terminal (TCT), marking a defining milestone in the national initiative to relocate port infrastructure away from the congested capital of Malé. The transition represents the first operational phase of the long-term Port Relocation Project, designed to overhaul the country's maritime logistics network and establish a modern commercial trading hub.
As the first step in this operational shift, MPL has begun handling Full Container Load (FCL) containers cleared via sea transport at the Thilafushi facility. Under this initial arrangement, unstripped containers arriving by sea are processed and loaded directly onto vessels, establishing functional maritime handling capabilities at the new terminal before broader clearance activities are phased in.
MPL confirmed that operational scope at Thilafushi will broaden in the near future to accommodate cargo stripped directly from containers as supporting facilities come online. The comprehensive port development project—estimated at USD 225 million—will ultimately provide a footprint roughly four times larger than the current Malé Commercial Harbour, featuring modern deep-water quays, container yards, and specialized crane infrastructure.
Highlighting the long-term transition schedule, the port authority stated that the complete migration of all cargo operations from Malé Commercial Harbour to Thilafushi is targeted for completion by November 11, 2027. MPL emphasized that the phased relocation is structured to maintain supply chain continuity while commercial operations systematically migrate across the channel.
Once fully operational, the centralized terminal at Thilafushi is projected to slash vessel turnaround times from the current average of seven days down to just two days. In addition to reducing shipping costs and demurrage fees for local importers, the permanent removal of container handling from Malé is set to resolve chronic heavy-vehicle traffic congestion and free up prime waterfront land in the capital.