Male' Commercial Port opens 24-hour access for incoming vessels

For the first time in over three decades, the commercial port of Male' will now allow uninterrupted entry for foreign vessels.

Since November 1988, international freighters arriving in Maldivian waters after midnight were required to wait offshore until 06:00 morning, to enter the port limit area. That restriction has now been lifted.

The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation announced Sunday that the number of merchant vessels arriving in the Maldives is steadily increasing. To support economic growth and improve logistics, the government has decided to enable round-the-clock access to the port limit area starting Monday.

Since 1988, merchant vessels arriving at Malé Commercial Port during the night had to wait until morning to enter port.
That has now changed.

With 24-hour access to the Port Limit Area, vessels can enter at any time, day or night, supported by round the clock pilotage, security… pic.twitter.com/Lr9eRCxTDt

— Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (@MoTCAmv) January 25, 2026

With this change, the ministry will ensure continuous availability of pilotage services, vessel safety checks, and ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security) clearances in line with global standards. Officials said the move will reduce waiting costs for operators and passengers, while saving time and improving efficiency.

The ministry described the decision as a key step toward positioning Male' Commercial Port as a reliable international maritime gateway. It is also expected to strengthen the country’s maritime transport sector and attract more vessel traffic.

ދިވެހިރާއްޖެއަށް އަންނަ އާގު ބޯޓުފަހަރަށް، 26 ޖެނުއަރީ 2026 ވާ ހޯމަ ދުވަހުން ފެށިގެން 24 ގަޑިއިރު ޕޯޓް ލިމިޓް އޭރިޔާއަށް ވަދެވޭގޮތަށް ހުޅުވާލުމަށް ވަނީ ނިންމާފައި!

މިއީ،1988 ވަނަ އަހަރުން ފެށިގެން އަމަލުކުރަމުން އައި އުސޫލު ބަދަލުކޮށް، އިޤްތިޞާދީ ގޮތުން އެޅުނު މުހިންމު… pic.twitter.com/KtxEiYrlha

— Mohamed Ameen (@ameen3d) January 25, 2026

Transport Minister Dr. Abdulla Muthalib previously stated that the government is committed to enhancing port services and expanding facilities for import and export businesses.