Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has reissued a call for applications to hire a consultant to carry out the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), geotechnical, hydrographic and bathymetric surveys of Thilafushi Port. Interested candidates can apply until May 13, 2025.

The announcement follows an earlier call in April that failed to attract sufficient interest. The renewed effort is part of the plan to relocate Male’ Commercial Port to Thilafushi to address severe congestion issues and limited service space in the current harbour.

The relocation, which will be executed in phases over the next two years, aims to significantly improve operational efficiency. MPL has said the current five to nine-day turnaround time for offloading cargo vessels will be reduced to just two to three days once the new port becomes operational.

In addition to the Male’ Commercial Harbour, North Harbour and the Thilafushi Jetty Terminal will also be moved to Thilafushi. The existing port in Hulhumalé will be repurposed into a transshipment hub once full operations begin in Thilafushi.

The plan to move port operations to Thilafushi was initially proposed in 2013. Although converted into a joint venture under the previous administration, the current Government has reaffirmed the relocation strategy as a priority.