President confident Thilafushi commercial port will be operational by November 2027

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has expressed confidence that the new commercial port at Thilafushi will be fully operational by November 11, 2027, describing it as a modern, state-of-the-art facility that will transform cargo handling and logistics in the Maldives.

Speaking during the latest episode of the Nation Chat podcast aired on Public Service Media (PSM), the President said the relocation of the Malé Commercial Harbour to Thilafushi would significantly enhance port operations while easing congestion in the capital.

He said around 80 per cent of the current commercial harbour's operations will be relocated to the new port at Thilafushi, with the remaining services to operate from the Industrial Village being developed at the Malé end of the Thilamalé Bridge.

Container transportation between the two locations will be carried out using roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferries, allowing freight movement to bypass residential areas in Malé and improving the efficiency of cargo distribution.

President Muizzu said the new commercial harbour will feature a fully digitalised port operations management system and offer modern infrastructure to support growing trade and logistics demands.

He added that the Government will introduce attractive incentives to encourage private sector investment in commercial activities at both the Thilafushi port and the Malé Industrial Village, creating new opportunities for businesses.

The President also highlighted ongoing improvements to Malé's transport infrastructure, saying the completion of the Malé Ring Road project will be accompanied by the construction of additional finger jetties at existing speedboat terminals to improve passenger embarkation, disembarkation and vessel berthing.

According to the President, these developments are part of the Government's broader efforts to modernise the country's transport and logistics network while supporting economic growth and improving public services.

During the podcast, President Muizzu also reaffirmed his commitment to governance reforms, stating that the Government's efforts to combat corruption and address key social challenges are beginning to yield measurable results.