Male’ Commercial Habour

Approaches: Except in very heavy rain in the S.W monsoon, the visibility is good and landfall can be made easily. The 25 story tower south west of Male’ in position: Lat 04 10.35N Long. 73 30.11 E. is visible at a distance of 30 nautical miles. The aerial tower of Vilingili island is also visible for approaching vessels.

Vessels approaching Male’ port should contact Harbor control on VHF channel 10 two hours prior to arrival at Bodukalhi pilot boarding ground (Lat 04 16.0 N Long. 073.34.0 E). All vessels are required to keep their AIS (Automatic Identification System) on at all times.

Bodukalhi Passage: Bodukalhi passage, (approaches to Male’ from east) the best and widest entrance in to the lagoon of Male’ atoll lies between Kanduoigiri and Lankanfinolhu 1 ¾ miles NNE; the channel is about 1 ¼ miles wide between the reefs. There are depths of about 50 m in the deepest part of the fairway which lies 6 cables S of Lankanfinolhu and about 3 cables clear of its reef; a bank with depths of 10 m or less extends 5 cables into the entrance N from Furanafushi (2.252). Bodukalhi Passage is 8 cables wide at its outer end and has a depth of 40m in the fairway.

Male Viligili passage (MAA THILA PASSAGE) is another safe passage for entrance to Male’ anchorage for vessel of draft less than 3.5 meters. Mariners should exercise with caution when using this channel as a shoal of 5.0m lies in the center of the channel.

Giraavaru East Channel: Giraavaru Irumathee Kandu (04.11.0N, 073.24.50E) is an easily discernible channel, with a least depth of 46 m in the middle of its fairway and can be used during daylight hours as there are no navigational light beacons in the channel.

Bodukalhi passage lights: Navigational Light beacons have been installed in Bandos maa gaa and Maagiri Reef, please refer BA chart 3323

Mooring: 3 Head line to shore Bollard 70t and 2 Astern Line to shore Bollard 70 t

Cruise Vessels: Passenger vessels are handled at anchorage. Number of berths available:  None

Specialized Cargo Facilities: No Ro-Ro berths. Containers and conventional cargo are handled at Berth and at Anchorage.

Tanker Facilities: Tanker terminal is available at Funadhoo and Thilafushi Island. Vessels below 15000 tons displacement and draft of 8.0m can be handled at these berths. Tankers are also handled at anchorage, and ship-to-ship transfer is possible for large vessels.

LPG/LNG Facilities: Gas Tankers (LPG) terminal is available at Thilafushi Island two terminal one STO PLC Terminal and one Vila gas terminal. Vessels length 130m and draft 8 meters can be berthed in these two terminals.