Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has introduced new tariffs for transporting containers by sea between Malé Commercial Harbour and Thilafushi, effective today.

Under the revised rates, transporting a 20-foot container will cost MVR 1,500, while a 40-foot container will cost MVR 3,000, excluding GST.

MPL began providing full container load (FCL) clearance services at the Thilafushi Cargo Terminal on 27 October. Until yesterday, the service was charged at the same tariff applied to container transfers from Malé Harbour to the Hulhumalé Terminal.

MPL said the revised rates were introduced after assessing the route between Malé and Thilafushi to establish appropriate charges. FCL clearance services will continue through the Thilafushi Cargo Terminal.

The move forms part of the Government's project to relocate Malé Commercial Harbour to Thilafushi. The first phase of the new port is being developed on a 60-hectare site, with an initial annual capacity of 390,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). This is expected to increase to 1.8 million TEUs once the entire project is completed.

The first 375-metre international container quay is being developed by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), with completion targeted for July next year. Land reclamation for an additional 820-metre domestic quay has also commenced.

Once operational, the new port is expected to accommodate larger vessels and reduce cargo handling turnaround times to approximately two days, compared with the current seven to 14 days at Malé Commercial Harbour.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has previously stated that the first phase of the project is scheduled to open on 11 November next year, with the new harbour expected to have four times the capacity of the existing port.