Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has hired a larger dredger to expedite land reclamation projects awarded to the company.

The Filippo Brunelleschi which belongs to a Belgian company docked in the Maldives this morning. The dredger is currently docked near Haa Alif Atoll Uligam.

Mahaa Jarraafu, which is currently the largest dredger in MTCC's fleet, is capable of reclaiming the same amount of area as the new dredger within three days. The first land reclamation project the new dredger will take on will be in Haa Alif Atoll Ihavandhoo.

About 25 hectares of land will be reclaimed on the island. Eight hectares of land have already been reclaimed.

The dredger hired by MTCC is 142.5467 feet long and 90 feet wide. It is capable of extracting sand from a depth of 38 meters and loading 11,300 cubic meters of sand at a time.

The dredger is being planned to be used for the reclaimation of nine islands. In addition to Ihavandhoo, B. Komandoo, AA. Ukulhas, AA. Bodafolhudhoo, R. Ungoofaaru, M. Dhiggaru, F. Feeali, K. Dhiffushi, and K. Gulhi.