The country’s new international commercial port at Thilafushi is expected to become one of the most valuable assets under Maldivian ownership, Economic Development, Transport and Trade Minister Mohamed Saeed has said.
The Minister made the remarks in response to claims circulating on social media regarding the ownership and development of the Thilafushi port.
According to Saeed, the port will be fully owned by the Maldivian people and is being developed as a long-term investment in the country’s maritime and economic infrastructure.
The relocation of the Malé Commercial Port to Thilafushi is intended to address the existing port’s space constraints, increase capacity for commercial activity, and support the country’s growing economy.
The new facility is planned as a modern multipurpose port designed to meet international standards. It will include a container terminal, multipurpose terminals, cold storage facilities for perishable goods and bonded warehouses.
Designed as a 24/7 continuous logistics hub, the modern facilities are expected to reduce cargo vessel waiting times from over a week down to under 48 hours.
Relocating container storage and heavy industrial traffic out of Malé is planned to ease traffic congestion in the capital and lower turnaround costs for regional supply chains.
The government has described the Thilafushi port as one of the country’s largest infrastructure projects, with the potential to significantly strengthen Maldives’ trade and logistics capacity.
The government is targeting 11 November 2027 for the official opening of the new port.
