Saeed: Port relocation to Thilafushi will significantly reduce cost of living

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has said that the completion of the mega-project to relocate the Malé Commercial Port to K. Thilafushi will significantly reduce the cost of living while ensuring a more reliable supply of fresh food products.

The Minister made the remarks while speaking to the media during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to Thilafushi on Thursday to assess the progress of the port relocation project.

The government plans to complete the first phase of the project and officially inaugurate the Thilafushi Port on November 11 next year, with the full project expected to be completed by November 2028. However, in an effort to ease the logistical challenges currently affecting operations at the Malé Commercial Port, Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has announced that port operations at Thilafushi will begin as early as October 28^th.

One of the key factors contributing to the high cost of goods in the Maldives is the extended period required for vessels to unload cargo at the Malé Commercial Port, with the process currently taking between seven and fourteen days. Minister Saeed said that once the Thilafushi Port becomes operational, cargo clearance is expected to be completed within a single day.

"The ultimate result of this transition will be substantial relief in the cost of living for the general public. Food items, vegetables, and various other commodities brought in by vessels can be unloaded promptly, ensuring they remain fresh," the Minister explained.

Minister Saeed further stated that the local business community would be among the primary beneficiaries of the relocation. He noted that delays and difficulties in cargo clearance had been persistent systemic issues, but said President Muizzu had made addressing these challenges a key objective from the beginning of his administration.

Once the project is fully completed, the "Atoll Shops" and warehouses currently operating in the Malé market area will also be relocated to Thilafushi, where designated free zones will be established.

Regarding the current progress of the project, the first 100 metres of the quay wall designated for domestic vessels has been completed, while approximately 40 percent of the backfilling work for the reclaimed area surrounding the internal quay wall has also been completed.