Weekslong holdup at Male’ Port leaves multiple Maldives-bound containers stuck in Colombo

It is now taking weeks to clear cargo at the Male’ Commercial Port, leaving multiple containers stuck in ports in other countries, with businesses unable to transport it to Maldives.

Multiple importers reported to Sun that while they have always faced delays in getting their cargo cleared at the Male’ Commercial Port, the situation has gotten worse recently.

What previously took two-three days is now taking two weeks, or even up to 18 days.

Businesses express concern that this is disrupting supply in the Maldives market, leaving shelves in shops empty.

A representative from a freight forwarder told Sun on Wednesday that the holdup at the Male’ Commercial Port has left a lot of containers bound for the Maldives stuck at the Port of Colombo in neighboring Sri Lanka. He said that the holdup is also increasing the traffic at the Port of Colombo.

Shelves in shops across Male’ have become increasingly empty in recent days. Businesses say this is the result of the delay in cargo clearance at the Male’ Commercial Port.

A spokesperson from Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) told Sun that the company faces challenges in cargo clearance during peak season, resulting in a backlog.

The company said it is working on resolving the issue, but stressed that a permanent solution lies in getting the port relocated to K. Thilafushi.

In December, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzzu announced the decision to transition cargo clearance to a 24-hour service, and to extend the demurrage-free period to 124 hours.