ADB concludes feasibility study to build a commercial harbour in Thilafushi

Asian Development Bank (ADB) has conducted a feasibility study to determine the business opportunities surrounding the establishment of a commercial harbour in Kaafu Thilafushi.

ADB stated that in July this year, the Maldivian government asked the bank for Project Preparatory Technical Assistance (PPTA) to build a commercial harbour in Thilafushi and to develop the existing commercial harbour in the capital Male’. However, ADB said that the bank had decided to provide Capacity Development Technical Assistance (CDTA) instead.

The regional development bank’s CDTA undertakes institutional and organizational capacity development and supports implementation, operation and management of ADB-financed projects.

In its preliminary feasibility study, the bank notes that Male’ Commercial Harbour is currently the primary international port serving Maldives and that cargo demand is estimated to grow by at least three times in the next twenty years, fuelled by growth in tourism and construction.

“However, expansion of the existing port is limited by physical constraints. Separately, although cruise ferries are currently attracted to Male', there are no international cruise passenger facilities,” the report read.

The report also states that the on-going master-plan study recommends segregation of cargo and passenger movements around Male’ and relocation of port operations from Male’ to Thilafushi.

The most recent physical upgrade of the Male' Commercial Harbour was in 1998, when ADB assisted in reclamation and expansion of the harbour.

An official from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury said today that they will soon call for bids for the Thilafushi harbour development project, and that approximately 70 hectares of land have been reserved for the project, in addition to 50 hectares designated for storage and warehouse facilities.