Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has stated that the area of the North Harbor of Male’ up to the Fish Market has been organized to accommodate 99 vessels. MPL was handed over the management of this area in early July. Until now, the Fish Market area and the area in front of it up to the Local Market’s cross jetty were managed by the Male’ City Council. However, now MPL is managing the commercial port of Male’ and the North Harbor area, including this section.
MPL said that they will start providing services in this area from next month after developing it with specific arrangements. Speaking on TVM’s ‘Hendunu Hendunaa’ program, MPL’s Assistant General Manager in charge of North Harbor operations, Ahmed Hamdullah Rasheed, said that previously only 32 or 34 vessels could be accommodated at the North Harbor quay wall. Therefore, although the harbor’s capacity cannot be increased, they have now planned to provide services through a systematic arrangement.
“With the entire harbor now available, we have arranged for a total of about 99 vessels to operate in the harbor. 25 vessels can be kept waiting, while 54 vessels carrying cargo and passengers can be accommodated. There will also be space for 20 fishing vessels. The cross jetty will be kept open for fishing vessels to come in, unload their catch, and leave,” said Hamdullah Rasheed. Currently, about 130 boats seek services from North Harbor monthly. MPL said that previously, it took about 5 days for boats coming for services to get space at the North Harbor quay wall. However, with this change, MPL notes that space will be available within 1 or 2 days, given the new arrangements.
In addition, the company has decided to provide harbor services by dividing it into zones. They also mentioned that maintenance work is ongoing on the 14-year-old North Harbor of Male’. “We have now started work in Thilafushi, that’s a five-foot by five-foot, one-and-a-half-foot thick concrete base. Each base weighs about 5 tons. Ten of these bases will be submerged in the middle of the lagoon and chained together. This will serve as a mooring buoy for dhonis and boats,” said Hamdullah Rasheed.
Male’ North Harbor is one of the busiest areas in Male’, with numerous vessels loading and unloading cargo every day. MPL is working to arrange easy access to services from North Harbor. They are working on providing water and fuel facilities, as well as additional storage facilities at North Harbor. Furthermore, MPL said they will install cameras and set up checkpoints to ensure the safety and security of the expanded area.”
