Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has invited interested businesses to submit proposals for the development of essential infrastructure at the Thilafushi Commercial Port, including warehouses and administrative buildings.
In its call for Expressions of Interest (EOI), MPL stated that opportunities are available for the development of 24 buildings required for the port's operations.
The planned infrastructure at Thilafushi includes an eight-story administrative building to be constructed on approximately 7,000 square feet of land. Among the largest facilities to be developed are a 78,000-square-foot Container Freight Station (CFS) warehouse, a 44,000-square-foot workshop complex, and a 40,000-square-foot general cargo warehouse.
Additionally, the project encompasses an accommodation block for 200 people, bonded warehouses, vehicle service centers, and all necessary buildings to facilitate port security, services, and utilities.
MPL has opened the window for interested parties to submit proposals, either individually or as joint ventures, until September 10.
According to MPL, once completed, the Thilafushi Port will feature an international quay wall exceeding 1,000 meters in length. It will also include a domestic terminal with a quay wall of over 2,000 meters, designed for vessels currently utilizing Malé’s North and South-West harbors.
Key Highlights of the Thilafushi Commercial Port
- A USD 225 million (MVR 3.4 billion) project
- Port development spanning 10 hectares
- Capacity to dock the largest commercial vessels
- Elimination of the need to unload containers at outer anchorage
- Reduction of vessel turnaround time from seven days to two days
- Equipped with modern technology, including gantry cranes and mobile harbor cranes
MPL stated that relocating the commercial port to Thilafushi will provide a permanent solution to the congestion issues currently facing the Malé Commercial Port, which has been in operation for nearly 40 years.
The design and quay wall construction of the port have been contracted to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), while certain components of the project have also been awarded to MTCC.
The government aims to commence operations at the Thilafushi Port by November 11 next year. However, given the scale of the remaining work, industry observers suggest that while some components may be ready by that date, the entire port complex is unlikely to be fully completed.
