The government has stated that Male' Commercial Harbor will be relocated to Gulhifalhu and will be fully operational by 2022.
According to the recently publicized government Strategic Action Plan (SAP), the Gulhifalhu Port will be completed and operational by 2022. Under the plan's Blue Economy category, two light industrial, manufacturing zones will also be established in two locations of the country by 2023.
The government awarded the consultancy contract to establish an international commercial port in Gulhifalhu to a Joint Venture (JV) between Holland's Niras Company and Denmark's Maritime Transport Business Solutions (MTBS) for US$ 1.6 million. Water Solution, Clear Reign Maldives, and Beach Rock Venture will be taking part in the project as sub consultants.
Niras Company of Holland is one that has globally provided consultancy for a number of major projects, including the development of a master plan for Libya's Port as well as Denmark's largest Offshore Wind Turbine project.
The government of former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom awarded a project to establish a commercial harbour in industrial island Thilafushi to a Dubai company, DP World for US$ 300 million. However, the company stopped work mid-project. President Yameen's Economic Council's co-chair, former Fisheries Minister Mohamed Shainee had at the time revealed that a Philippines company approached the government to continue the project.
