MPL awards key-wall construction for Male' Commercial Harbour relocation to Chinese firm

The Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has signed an agreement with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to construct the key walls under the Male' Commercial Harbour relocation project.

The project involves building two major quay walls, a 375-metre-long, 14.6-metre-deep international key wall designed for container ships, and an 820-metre-long, five-metre-deep domestic key wall for local freight vessels.

MPL said the agreement marks a significant milestone in the government’s plan to relocate the Male' Commercial Harbour to Thilafushi, fulfilling a key pledge by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to modernise the nation’s port infrastructure.

މާލޭ ވިޔަފާރި ބަނދަރު ތިލަފުއްޓަށް ބަދަލުކުރުމުގެ މަޝްރޫޢުގެ ދަށުން އިންޓަރނޭޝަނަލް އަދި ޑޮމެސްޓިކް ކީ-ވޯލްގެ މަސައްކަތް ހަވާލުކުރުމުގެ އެއްބަސްވުމުގައި މޯލްޑިވްސް ޕޯޓްސް ލިމިޓަޑް އާއި ސީ.އެޗް.އީ.ސީ ސޮއިކޮއްފިއެވެ.

މި އެއްބަސްވުމުގެ ދަށުން ބައިނަލްއަޤްވާމީ މުދާ އުފުލާ ކޮންޓޭނަރ… pic.twitter.com/gZfkmmZ7di

— Maldives Ports Limited (@Portmv) July 20, 2026

The relocation project aims to ease congestion in Male' and expand capacity for international cargo operations. The new port will feature upgraded berthing facilities, deeper draft access, and improved logistics handling to support growing trade volumes.

MPL described the signing as an important step toward establishing a modern, high-capacity port that will enhance efficiency and safety in maritime operations.