The government had decided to carry out the Laamu Gaadhoo transshipment port project with India after previously awarding it to a Chinese company.
Maldives and India agreed to work together in the transshipment ports at Gaadhoo and Ihavandhippolhu during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's visit to India.
However, an MoU was signed with China's CAMCE Company Limited on April 11 to establish an integrated maritime hub in Gaadhoo.
Satellite images confirm that no practical work has been carried out under the project.
Adhadhu earlier reported that the Chinese company involved in the project was blacklisted by major international banks. It was Maldives Port Limited (MPL) that signed the agreement with CAMCE.
The government did not reveal whether the agreement with CAMCE had been cancelled. So it is unclear how the government plans to proceed with the project in collaboration with India.
Neither the Maldives government nor India have given any further details.
The government announced in April that it would develop a transshipment port, a cruise terminal, a yacht marina and an eco-resort at the Gaadhoo Integrated Maritime Hub.
The Maldives Industrial Development Free Zone (MIDFZ) is tasked with developing the Ihavandhippolhu area as a Special Economic Zone and the Maldives Economic Gateway.
However, the project has not yet been awarded to any company.
The development of transshipment ports in the south and the north of the country is a pledge made by President Muizzu.
