Reclamation work at Giraavarufalhu has come to a halt as Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has ceased providing fuel to the dredgers, contrary to previous agreements.
Information gathered by Adhadhu indicates that the Boskalis dredgers, Oranje and Prins der Nederlanden, which were active in the reclamation project, are currently anchored off Gulhifalhu.
Tracking data from marine traffic websites shows that neither vessel has conducted any reclamation activity over the past 24 hours. However, the exact date the work was halted remains unconfirmed.
A source familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Adhadhu that the issue stems from rising fuel costs. According to the source, MACL is responsible for financing the fuel for all dredgers utilized in the reclamation projects it oversees.
The source explained that due to the current spike in fuel prices, the cost of refueling has surged to two or three times the original budget, leading to a decision to "pause briefly."
"The project is ongoing; if it were canceled, the dredgers wouldn't be here. But because fuel expenses have become so high, the dredgers were anchored while discussions take place to decide on the way forward," the source said.
During a parliamentary sitting on Tuesday, Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Abdulla Muththalib stated that the project was handed over to MACL because the previous contractor, Maldives Fund Management Corporation (MFMC), was unable to proceed, leading to significant delays.
MACL is managing the project through its subsidiary, Marine Integrated Infrastructure Development (MIID). Physical reclamation work under the new management commenced on January 31 this year.
By the time MFMC ceased its involvement, 54 hectares had been reclaimed. Muththalib informed Parliament that since MACL took over, an additional 44 hectares were reclaimed as of last Thursday.
"To date, 98 hectares have been reclaimed. It is estimated that the remaining portion of the reclamation will be completed by May 31, 2026," he said.
This new deadline is two months later than the date previously announced. Prior to the local council elections and the referendum, President Mohamed Muizzu had stated that work would be completed by the end of March, with land plots ready for handover in June.
Given that reclamation was not completed by the initial deadline and is now facing further delays, Adhadhu estimates that the project will likely miss the revised date provided by Muththalib as well.
This projection is based on the figures and timelines shared by the Minister with Parliament.
According to Muththalib’s figures, MACL reclaimed 44 hectares over 69 days, averaging 0.6 hectares per day. This is the current output using Boskalis’s two massive dredgers.
At the current rate, it would take 110 days to reclaim the remaining 71 hectares. With only 45 days remaining until the Minister’s projected completion date, the daily reclamation rate would need to increase to 1.5 hectares per day to meet the target.
Based on the actual pace of the Giravarufalhu project, the reclamation phase is more likely to conclude in August. However, with work currently suspended pending a resolution to the fuel issue, there is a high probability that even this timeline may not be met.
