Government prioritises Thilafushi port relocation in 2027

The Government has identified the relocation of Malé Commercial Harbour to Thilafushi as one of its key development priorities for 2027.

Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises Hassan Zareer highlighted the Thilafushi International Commercial Port project while presenting the proposed 2027 state budget to the People’s Majlis.

Zareer said the project is intended to address capacity constraints at the existing Malé Commercial Harbour and significantly expand the country’s logistics and trade infrastructure.

The current harbour in Malé operates on around five hectares of land with a 101-metre quay wall. In comparison, the new port at Thilafushi is being developed across approximately 60 hectares, with plans for a 1.4-kilometre quay wall and substantially greater container-handling capacity.

The Government aims to complete the port works and bring the facility into operation before 11 November 2027.

Zareer said the new port is expected to reduce cargo unloading delays from the current nine to 14 days to less than three days once operational.

The development is also expected to strengthen the national supply chain, ease congestion linked to commercial harbour activity in Malé and reduce logistics-related pressure on the prices of food and other essential goods.

The 2027 budget allocates MVR 8.2 billion to the Public Sector Investment Programme, with an important share earmarked for the Thilafushi port development and associated works on the Thilamalé Bridge.

The Government views the port and bridge projects as key parts of a wider logistics network for the Greater Malé region, with the combined development expected to create new opportunities for businesses and investors while supporting additional state revenue.

Zareer said the Thilafushi port project forms part of the Government’s broader effort to strengthen the country’s economic foundations and support longer-term fiscal and economic development.