Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) cleared 178,197 freight tonnes of cargo in September alone, with eggs and onions accounting for the largest volumes of essential food items handled during the month.
According to statistics released by MPL, the company also cleared containers and consignments brought in by container ships and general cargo vessels. These included 5,673 consignments from container ships and 1,667 from general cargo vessels.
A total of 14 container ships and 26 general cargo vessels arrived at Malé Commercial Harbour during September. Three container ships and six general cargo vessels departed from the harbour during the same period.
Container statistics show that 7,139 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) were unloaded, while 7,386 loaded TEUs were recorded. Total container throughput stood at 14,525 TEUs.
Among the essential food items cleared during the month were 77,595 cases of eggs, 41,122 sacks of onions, 39,582 cases of bananas, 23,610 sacks of potatoes and 17,102 cases of tomatoes.
The Government is accelerating efforts to relocate the Maldives’ commercial port to Thilafushi. The port is scheduled to be officially opened and begin operations on 11 November next year. The relocation is expected to further improve the speed and efficiency of MPL’s operations.