Reclamation work at Rasmale’ is being expedited following the arrival of one of the world’s largest trailer suction hopper dredgers.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced on X that the Jan De Nul vessel has begun operations to fast-track land creation for the planned 100 percent net-zero, smart eco-city.

The dredger arrived yesterday, with dredging starting at 5:00 a.m. and the first load of sand taken at 11:41 a.m. The project forms part of the Maldives’ largest environmentally friendly development initiative.

Efforts to advance land reclamation are also ongoing in Hulhumalé Phase 3, where two dredgers began work on Friday. That phase is expected to finish by the end of next month, after which the dredgers will be relocated to Rasmale’ to further increase progress.

The President recently noted that Rasmale’ reclamation is moving ahead rapidly, with work underway on one of three planned fronts. He said an even larger dredger will be brought in to speed up the timeline, targeting completion between March and April.

The Rasmale’ plan includes 25,000 land plots, with 10,000 allocated to Malé residents and 3,000 for long-term residents of islands within Malé City.