The ministerial economic and youth council has given the green light for the project to expand the country's main port in the capital Male, Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) revealed Monday.
Speaking during a ceremony to unveil the new vehicles and equipment brought in, MPL CEO Mohamed Junaid admitted that the dire state of affairs in the main port had adversely affected the country's economy but said the efforts to improve the situation had proved beneficial to local businessmen.
However, Junaid highlighted the limitations at the port had hindered efforts to expedite customs clearance services currently on offer.
"Our port presently is very small. We simply cannot offer swift service with the capacity to cater to just one vessel. The only we can sufficiently load the containers if we have the space to dock another vessel," Junaid explained.
"We've received the letter of approval from EYC for our plans to expand the port. We will commence the project very soon."
MPL has planned to push the sea wall by 600 meters and reclaim the area which would cover the ports requirement for the next two decades.
