The Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) announced Saturday that it will no longer levy fees on fishing vessels operating within the North Harbor or market area. This change comes as MPL assumes full operational responsibility for the port up to the local market jetty, following an agreement with the Ministry of Transport on June 4.
Under previous regulations, vessels approaching North Harbor were subject to fees, with Zone 'A' charging MVR 50 per meter per hour based on vehicle width, and Zones 'B' and 'C' charging MVR 1 per meter per hour. MPL CEO DCP (retd) Mohamed Rishwan confirmed that no additional fees will be charged beyond those currently in place for North Harbor, and fishing vessels will be entirely exempt.
"އެމް.ޕީ.އެލްގެ ނޯތު ހާބަރއިން މިހާރު ނަގަމުންދާ ފީތަކުގެ އިތުރުން އެއްވެސް ފީއެއް ނެގުމަށް މި ކުންފުނިން ނިންމާފައެއް ނުވޭ. ނޯތު ޕޯޓްގެ ސަރަހައްދަށް އިތުރު ކުރެވުނު ސަރަހައްދު ތަރުތީބުކޮށް، އިންތިޒާމް ކުރުމުގެ މަސައްކަތް މިހާރު ދަނީ ކުރަމުން.މި ސަރަހައްދު ތަރުތީބުކުރެވުމުން،… pic.twitter.com/6ySGTS8Wt6
— Maldives Ports Limited (@Portmv) August 2, 2025
Rishwan stated that the expanded area within the North Port is being organized to offer more space and facilities for fishing boats, aiming to streamline the unloading and loading of goods to the provinces. These adjustments are also expected to address the issue of illegal foreign trade in the area and enhance overall management.
The MPL CEO expressed confidence that these changes will result in faster and more convenient services for fishermen and boat owners.
???? ނޯތު ހާބަރު ސަރަހައްދު މަސް މާރުކޭޓާ ހަމައަށް ބޮޑުކުރަނީ! ????އެމް.ޕީ.އެލްގެ މާލޭ ނޯތު ހާބަރު ސަރަހައްދު މިހާރު ވަނީ ބަނދަރާއި އިންވެގެން އޮތް ސަރަޙައްދުން ފެށިގެން، ލޯކަލް މަސްމާރުކެޓާ ހަމައަށް ބޮޑުކޮށްފައި.????️ 2025 އޯގަސްޓް 1 އިން ފެށިގެން:ޚިދުމަތް ލިބޭނީ ހަމައެކަނި… pic.twitter.com/6ChZQCvu1N
— Maldives Ports Limited (@Portmv) August 1, 2025
The port's capacity is set to increase significantly, accommodating 54 vessels, up from the previous 32. Special berths will be designated for 20 fishing boats, bringing the total port capacity to 74 vessels. Additionally, a waiting area will provide space for 25 vehicles.
The North Harbor is a vital hub for daily cargo loading and unloading, and a substantial number of fishing boats utilize its facilities.