Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has expanded its empty container depot in Thilafushi to help reduce congestion at Malé Commercial Harbour.
The empty container depot, which opened last September, now has a capacity of over 3,000 TEUs, up from 1,600 TEUs before the expansion. MPL aims to address space constraints at Malé Commercial Harbour by improving the management and storage of empty containers.
The facility is designed to store, clean, maintain, and repair empty containers, preparing them for reuse by shipping lines.
MPL confirmed that land reclamation and site preparation works required for the expansion have been completed.
According to MPL, this expansion is a temporary measure ahead of the planned relocation of the main commercial port to Thilafushi, as part of broader efforts to modernise the Maldives’ maritime infrastructure.
The first phase of the project was awarded in February 2026 to China Harbour Engineering Company for design and survey works. MPL added that initial surveys of both domestic and international quay walls have already been completed ahead of schedule.
