Minister: The new port can house 260,000 containers

The new port in Thilafushi can house 260, 000 containers and two parties have submitted their proposals for the project, says the Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed.

In a special interview to Sun Media, Minister Saeed said the current port can house 60, 000 containers and the new port can house 260, 000 containers. He said that two companies are interested in developing the new port with their own funding. The minister says the port will be completed within three years according to the proposals.

“If the volume now is 60, 000 containers, the aim is construct with a volume of 260,000 containers. With the crane arms, to the standard of an internationally developed port.” Minister Saeed said.

The minister says that two companies who submitted the proposals want to coordinate with the government on the project. And experts from the World Bank would visit the Maldives in two weeks to counsel the ministry on which company to choose. With their help, a company will decided in the month of May.

Minister Saeed said that a port like this would reduce the prices in the country and the cargo ships would be easier to facilitate.

“In the future, pushing the port up means the ships won’t have to wait three days with the cargo out at sea. They can unload the containers and leave. Wouldn’t that reduce the charges to the ships at port?” Minister said.

Complains are received due to limited capacity at the port from ship crews and merchants alike.