The Maldivian government is ramping up efforts to develop an international transshipment port, with preparations being made to deliver one of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s key electoral pledges, Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has said.

Minister Saeed made the remarks at a press conference held at the President’s Office today in response to a question posed by a journalist from Khulaasaa.

The minister said the government is carrying out the necessary preparations to develop an international port, stressing that the establishment of a transshipment hub is a major priority under President Muizzu's administration.

“President Muizzu had written his commitments to the people in a manifesto that was published and the government will do everything possible to keep its promise to establish an international transshipment port,”
Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed

Minister Saeed expressed confidence that the government’s five-year term would bring considerable progress.

“We are exploring various options and God willing we will be able to make significant progress toward achieving this goal within the five-year term,”
Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed

The minister also pointed out the ongoing efforts to relocate the Malé Commercial Harbour to Thilafushi, as part of a major expansion and modernisation of the country’s port infrastructure.

He said the new commercial harbour in Thilafushi would change the current shipping arrangements in the Maldives which are heavily dependent on Colombo, Sri Lanka, as a transit hub for imported goods.

With the current system, a lot of the cargo bound for the Maldives goes to Colombo and then is put onto smaller boats to be shipped to Malé.

Minister Saeed said the new port facilities will help change this arrangement and improve the country’s shipping connectivity and position in regional maritime trade.

He also said that shifting the commercial harbour to Thilafushi would greatly benefit the Maldivian economy, especially in the fields of trade, logistics and maritime services.

The minister said the development of an international transshipment port would further support the government’s broader goal of establishing a comprehensive maritime economy.

He expressed confidence that Maldivians would eventually taste the economic benefits of the administration's efforts to strengthen the country's maritime sector.

The proposed transshipment port is part of the government’s broader strategy to increase the Maldives’ share of international shipping and lessen reliance on foreign transit hubs.