Maldives moves its commercial harbour from Male to Thilafushi, with 40 per cent of inner harbour backfilling done

1 October 2026

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has called the shift of Male's commercial harbour to the island of Thilafushi a main driver of growth for the Maldives. He said so while touring the site to see how the port relocation project is coming along, and was received there by Maldives Ports Limited Chief Executive Officer Captain Hussain Shafeeq. Officials of Maldives Ports Limited briefed him on construction at the new harbour, which is planned as a larger facility with wider capacity than the one in the capital. The first 100 metres of the quay wall of the inner harbour have been finished, while levelling of land and road work continue. About 40 per cent of the backfilling of the inner harbour is also complete. Precast concrete blocks for the quay wall are being made and the machinery and equipment the port needs are being bought. The President repeated that commercial operations at the new site are to begin by November next year.