Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has announced that the construction of the empty container storage area or container depot in Thilafushi will be completed by mid-August. MPL is developing this container depot in Thilafushi to address the space constraints currently faced at the Male’ Commercial Harbor and Hulhumale’ Port. According to MPL, both Hulhumale’ and Male’ ports are currently experiencing difficulties in storing empty containers. As a result, containers are now being transported to Hulhumale’ instead of being stored at the Male’ Commercial Harbor.
The container depot being developed in Thilafushi has a capacity to store 2000 containers. MPL is carrying out this project in two phases. The first phase has been contracted to MTCC. The work assigned to MTCC includes the construction of a 60-meter inner quay wall and an additional 15-meter quay wall. This phase also includes leveling the ground.
“In the first phase, the ground leveling has been completed. The 60-meter quay wall is finished, and work on the 15-meter quay wall is ongoing. We expect to complete Phase 1 entirely by the end of July,” said Ahmed Zuhoor Zaeem, Project Engineer at MPL.
The second phase of the project involves establishing the necessary facilities to make the area operational. This work will be carried out by MPL staff. MPL has stated that this phase will be completed by mid-August. “The second phase will include fencing, setting up the MT depot container phase, installing necessary service pipes, electricity, generator sheds, and light posts,” Zuhoor explained.
MPL stated that upon completion of this project, it will alleviate the space constraints currently faced at the Male’ Commercial Harbor and Hulhumale’ Port. The company also noted that this would facilitate smoother cargo clearance operations. While MPL is preparing to develop and utilize the empty container storage depot, work is also underway to relocate the Male’ Commercial Harbor to Thilafushi. The company’s container depot is being developed adjacent to the area where the commercial port in Thilafushi is being constructed.
