Maldives is planning to develop an international container transshipment port to handle a capacity of 1.8 million TEU’s/year in the first phase by 2024.

Maldives has a flourishing tourism market and offers an excellent opportunity for global trade. Interestingly, about 90% of Maldives’ trade is import and spearheaded by China, India, and Sri Lanka.

Maersk Line has been serving Maldives with a direct, weekly feeder link between Colombo (Sri Lanka), and Male (Maldives) for better trade to/from South Asia.

In spite of political turmoil, new shipping links and year on year growth of container volumes helping the trade to grow further.

Maldives is planning to develop an international con[1]tainer transshipment port and it is open for interested parties to build a 900 meter quay.

The port will be able to handle a capacity of 1.8 million TEU’s/year in the first phase of the project with its operations to start by 2024.

Container shipping prices currently range from MVR 30,000 to upwards of MVR 80,000, with prices based on the type of goods or the weather.

Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) began container ferry services to atolls in an attempt to facilitate transport of goods brought to the Malé North harbour and the islands.

The service will transport containers to the Hitahdhoo port in Addu City and to Kulhudhuffushi City Port, with plans to expand services to Thinadhoo once the island’s harbour is completed.