Container throughput at Malé Commercial Harbour reached 14,525 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in September 2026, reflecting the continued importance of the country’s main commercial gateway as the Government advances preparations to relocate major port operations to the new facility being developed at Thilafushi.
According to monthly statistics published by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), the harbour handled 7,139 TEUs of unloaded containers and 7,386 TEUs of loaded containers during the month. A total of 178,197 freight tonnes of cargo was cleared, demonstrating the significant volume of goods moving through the port to meet the requirements of businesses, households and communities across the Maldives.
Cargo clearance during September included 5,673 consignments transported by container vessels and a further 1,667 consignments carried by general cargo vessels. The harbour received 14 container ships and 26 general cargo vessels during the month, highlighting the scale of maritime trade handled through the capital.
Essential food supplies formed an important part of the cargo processed during the period. MPL handled 77,595 cases of eggs, 39,582 cases of bananas and 17,102 cases of tomatoes, alongside 41,122 sacks of onions and 23,610 sacks of potatoes. The volume of food imports highlights the vital role played by efficient port operations in maintaining a reliable supply chain for the Maldivian population.
The latest figures come as the Government continues development of a significantly larger commercial port at Thilafushi, designed to address the space limitations of the existing Malé Commercial Harbour and strengthen the country’s long-term logistics and cargo-handling capacity.
The Government is targeting 11 November 2027 for the opening of the new port. The facility is expected to begin operations with an annual handling capacity of approximately 390,000 TEUs, providing substantially expanded infrastructure to support the Maldives’ growing economy and international trade.
The planned international quay and modern cargo-handling equipment are also expected to considerably improve operational efficiency. Vessel turnaround times are projected to fall to around two days at the Thilafushi port, compared with the current seven to 14 days experienced at Malé Commercial Harbour.
The development represents an important investment in the Maldives’ maritime infrastructure, with the potential to improve cargo movement, reduce congestion in the capital, strengthen supply-chain resilience and provide greater capacity for future economic growth. As construction progresses, the Thilafushi port is expected to play a central role in modernising the country’s logistics sector and supporting more efficient connectivity between the Maldives and international markets.
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