News Desk
ADDU CITY, — Hithadhoo Port is set to become the economic centre of the southern region, the head of Hithadhoo Port Limited (HPL) said on Saturday, as the government inaugurated three major services designed to expand trade capacity and strengthen logistics networks across the Maldives.
Speaking at the signing ceremony for the new initiatives, HPL CEO Mohamed Rishwan said the development of Hithadhoo and Kahdhoo commercial ports forms a central pillar of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s plan to relocate the country’s main commercial port to Thilafushi.
“The duty‑free bonded zone inaugurated today will give further momentum to this vision,” Rishwan said. “This will make Hithadhoo Port the economic hub of the south.”
Rishwan emphasised the importance of strengthening logistics services nationwide, noting that improved sea‑transport links between the north and south would reduce cargo costs and ease pressure on Malé’s congested port.
He said cold‑storage facilities were being established across the country and that the first phase of relocating the main commercial port to Thilafushi had already begun to address long‑standing space constraints in Malé.
“All of this is part of connecting the country’s business networks,” he said, adding that the government aims to complete the transformation of the national port system by November 2027.
At the ceremony, Economic Development and Trade Minister Mohamed Saeed inaugurated three key services at the Hithadhoo commercial port:
- A duty‑free storage zone for food and essential goods
- A bonded warehouse
- A bulk‑cargo handling facility
The agreement to establish the bonded‑zone services was signed between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and Maldives Ports Limited (MPL).
Minister Saeed said the initiatives fulfil a presidential pledge to make Addu City a major commercial hub and to introduce duty‑free systems in regional ports.
“These two ports — Kahdhoo and Hithadhoo — are becoming duty‑free ports,” he said. “Construction materials such as stone and sand will now be stored duty‑free, and arrangements will be made to keep goods imported from overseas at Hithadhoo Port.”
Saeed described the relocation of the Malé commercial port to Thilafushi as the most significant port‑development project in four decades. President Muizzu has said the port will be operational in Thilafushi by November next year, with key infrastructure contracts — including quay walls, paving and buildings — to be awarded by mid‑year.
Officials say the combined expansion of regional ports and the relocation of the main port will reduce congestion, lower logistics costs and stimulate business activity across the Maldives.
Photo: MPL
