Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has invited expressions of interest (EOI) from local and international contractors for the development of quay wall infrastructure in Thilafushi, to ease congestion at the Malé Commercial Harbour.

The call for contractors for the first phase of the Local Harbour Relief Project in Thilafushi, which is part of MPL’s master plan to develop a modern commercial port capable of accommodating large cargo vessels and addressing long-standing capacity constraints at the Malé Commercial Harbour.

According to MPL, the Malé Commercial Harbour is currently operating beyond its intended capacity, prompting the phased development of a major commercial port in Thilafushi as a permanent solution. The overall project is valued at USD 250 million and is being implemented in stages.

Under the first phase, a 60-metre quay wall for empty containers has already been completed in Thilafushi. The phase also includes the proposed development of a 100-metre international quay wall and a 650-metre domestic quay wall, along with associated basin and channel works. MPL has announced that EOIs are now open for the survey, detailed design, construction, engineering, and procurement of these facilities.

The planned 100-metre international quay wall will have a depth of 14.3 metres and is designed to accommodate large foreign cargo vessels bringing goods into the Maldives. MPL said the facility is intended to relieve space constraints at the Malé Commercial Harbour, with some port operations expected to be transferred to Thilafushi once the quay wall becomes operational.

The proposed 650-metre domestic quay wall will be used for the distribution of goods to Malé and is expected to ease operations at the Malé North Harbour and Malé South-West Harbour under the Local Harbour Relief Project.

MPL said EOIs have been opened to local and international contractors as well as joint ventures, with submissions to be made by 2:00 p.m. on 6 January. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

According to MPL, construction of the main commercial port in Thilafushi is expected to take approximately two years, with the first phase estimated to cost around USD 150 million. The company added that the full relocation of commercial port operations to Thilafushi is expected to take place over a longer period.