News Desk
The Maldives has nearly finished building ports across its inhabited islands, with only three islands still lacking completed facilities. Official data from the Ministry of Housing show that 184 of 187 island ports are now finished.
The government has invested heavily in maritime infrastructure over the past decade. More than 180 port‑related projects have been completed or are underway since 2014. Officials estimate that between 10 and 12 billion rufiyaa have been spent on construction and upgrades. Roughly 100 to 120 port improvements were carried out during this period.
Despite the progress, many islands still lack basic water and sewerage services. Out of 187 villages, only 136 have sewerage systems. Water services are available in 147 islands.
The pace of construction has accelerated in recent years. From 2018 to 2023, 56 port projects were completed. Another 49 were awarded from 2023 onward. As of December last year, 15 additional ports had been finished.
Officials say work has begun in all islands that still lack water and sewerage. There are 28 islands where projects are currently underway at various stages.
The government has framed the port network as essential for transport, trade and emergency response. But officials acknowledge that full development requires parallel investment in basic utilities, which remain uneven across the country.
