Largest ever dredger built under a Maldivian company; Maldives Transport and Contracting Company's (MTCC) "Mahaa Jarraafu" has ported at the northern hub, Haa Dhaal atoll Kulhudhuffushi.
The gargantuan hopper suction dredger dropped its anchor at Kulhudhuffushi harbor around 15:00hrs on Wednesday afternoon.
The dredger is expected to commence its work of land reclamation earlier next month and would aim to complete the reclamation project under 180 days, according to the company's CEO Ziyath.
The Kulhudhuffushi land reclamation project for airport development also marks the first project Mahaa Jarraafu will be handling in Maldives.
The 92.95 meter hopper suction dredger boasts a 16.30 meter in width, and the vessel is capable of dredging sand from 50 meter below sea level. Mahaa Jarraafu is built to sustain a total of 3,700 cubic meter.
However several citizens and environmentalists of Kulhudhuffushi had expressed their discord over the planned reclamation on the island's iconic clay-pond and mangroves; which is also home to several fresh water fish and rare birds flapping a dive for game.
So far it is uncertain whether the government has placed an alternative which would leave the biodiversity rich ecosystem unharmed.
Interestingly the pond is also acts as a natural 'pump' that accumulates rain water collected on roads.
