China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC) has been awarded the contract to develop the international and domestic keywalls of the port development project on the industrial island of Thilafushi, the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) announced at a special ceremony.
MPL Chief Executive Officer Hussain Shafeeq signed the agreement on behalf of the state‑owned ports authority, while CHEC Country Manager Mao Bao signed for the Chinese firm. Under the terms of the deal, a 14.6‑metre‑deep, 375‑metre‑long keywall will be constructed to accommodate international container vessels, and a 5‑metre‑deep, 820‑metre‑long keywall will be built for domestic freight ships serving inter‑island transport.
The project’s primary goal is to expand port capacity and elevate service quality in line with the Maldives’ growing maritime logistics sector. By improving cargo‑handling infrastructure, the new facilities are expected to speed up loading and unloading operations, reducing vessel turnaround times significantly.
CHEC’s involvement marks a pivotal step in the government’s plan to relocate Malé’s congested commercial harbour to Thilafushi—a long‑standing pledge of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. The relocation aims to alleviate chronic bottlenecks that currently force cargo vessels to spend up to five days clearing goods. MPL projects that, once operational, the new Thilafushi port will cut cargo clearance to roughly 48 hours, providing a sustainable hub designed to support Maldivian trade for the next three decades. Vacating the existing Male’ harbour will also free up valuable waterfront space for alternative government uses.
Prior to CHEC’s contract, MPL had already entrusted MTCC with a portion of the works—a 100‑metre domestic quay and the paving of a three‑hectare area, awarded on 1 June. When fully completed, the Thilafushi development will feature a 1,000‑metre keywall and a 2,000‑metre keywall connecting the North and South‑West harbours along with a domestic terminal in Male’ The government has set a target completion date of 11 November next year.