MACL says 75 percent of Hulhumale’ Phase III dredging has been completed

About 75 percent of the dredging work for the third phase of the Hulhumale’ development project has now been completed, the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) said on Saturday evening.

Dredging for Phase III, an area planned primarily for housing, resumed on November 10 after a period of suspension. The project was first launched in September 2023 under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, during which 24 hectares of land were reclaimed.

MACL said 47 hectares have been dredged so far in the current phase, amounting to 74.6 percent of the planned work.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced late last month that dredging of both the Giravaru lagoon and Hulhumale’ Phase III would be completed within three months. He made the remarks while confirming the arrival of an additional dredger from the Netherlands to accelerate the project. Until then, only one dredger had been in operation.

Hulhumalé Phase 03 Update:

47 hectares reclaimed, with overall progress reaching 74.6%. Land reclamation works continue steadily with two dredgers actively operating on site. pic.twitter.com/7MVjHKPi20

— Maldives Airports Company Ltd (@MACLmedia) December 27, 2025

The President also said the Phase III reclamation would be completed by the end of this month.

Dredging is being carried out using two trailing suction hopper dredgers, TSHD Prins der Nederlanden and TSHD Oranje, each with a capacity of 22,000 cubic metres.

Capital Marine and Civil Construction (CMC) is contracted to reclaim 63 hectares in Phase III. After the project stalled, dredging of the remaining 38 hectares resumed recently.

The Ministry of Construction previously said the delay was due to a review of the Hulhumale’ master plan.