Male Commercial Harbour (MCH)
About MCH
Male Commercial Harbour (MCH) is the main international port of the Maldives, on Malé Island, operated by state-owned Maldives Ports Limited (MPL). It has an installed capacity of 150,000–200,000 TEUs per annum and handled 120,000 TEUs in FY25.
MCH remains the primary gateway for the Maldives, serving as the central hub for nearly all the nation’s international maritime trade. Despite the ongoing transition toward the new mega-port at Gulhifalhu/Thilafushi, MCH has recently undergone significant operational reforms to maintain its status as a vital economic artery. It is located in the north-west corner of Male Island, the capital of the Maldives.
The terminal is wholly owned and operated by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), a 100% state-owned enterprise. While MPL is the sole authority, it maintains a close logistics partnership with Maldives State Shipping (MSS). This national shipping line acts as a primary carrier for the port’s feeder services.
MCH is primarily a destination for regional feeder vessels. Since January 26, 2026, the port has allowed 24-hour vessel entry, ending a 30-year restriction on nighttime arrivals. This has synchronised MCH with global shipping schedules.
Due to the extreme space constraints of Male Island, the port utilises “off-dock” storage at the Hulhumale International Terminal to manage overflow. The key shipping lines operating are: MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company), Maersk, CMA CGM, and MSS (Maldives State Shipping).
Equipment
- Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHC) and Ship’s Gear are used for loading/unloading due to the lack of rail-mounted gantries
- Reach Stackers (45t capacity), Empty Handlers and Forklifts (ranging from 3t to 25t) for the yard fleet
- 3 Tugs (including Veeru and Ox), 6 Hatch/Flat-top Barges, and a 400hp Pilot Boat
Facilities & infrastructure
- 101.3m Main Quay (9m draft); Eastern and Western Lighterage Berths (3.5m draft)
- 21,700 m² open storage and 2,900 m² covered warehouse
- 80 plug points for temperature-controlled containers
Why shippers choose MCH
- As of January 2026, for the first time in Maldivian history, the port limit operates 24/7, drastically reducing “anchorage waiting costs” for shipping lines
- Located in the heart of the capital, it provides direct, immediate access to the nation’s largest consumer market
- Despite being a small harbour, it maintains a dedicated “priority lane” for perishable food and medical supplies, which account for over 60% of Maldivian imports
- The “My Bandharu” portal allows for 100% digital clearing and gate-pass generation, a major leap for a historically manual port
Shipping lines & services
Hinterland connectivity
Rail & road
Since the Maldives is an archipelagic nation composed of over 1,000 coral islands, a traditional railway system is physically and economically unfeasible. The “logistics backbone” of the Maldives is entirely maritime and road-based. MCH relies on a Barge-and-Bridge model to move containers. Inter-Island Barging is the Maldivian equivalent of a “freight train”: large flat-top and hatch barges (200t to 600t capacity) ferry containers from MCH to industrial islands like Thilafushi or the Hulhumale International Terminal. In early 2026, the Maldivian government and MPL provided 24/7 access for truckers to move cargo at night to avoid city congestion. About 60% of cargo moves by barge/feeder and 40% by road.
CFS & warehousing
MCH services two primary off-dock facilities: the Hulhumale International Terminal (its main CFS/ICD) and the Thilafushi Industrial Hub.
Frequently asked questions
Who operates Male Commercial Harbour?
It is wholly owned and operated by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), a 100% state-owned enterprise.
What is the capacity of Male Commercial Harbour?
Installed capacity is 150,000–200,000 TEUs per annum. Throughput in FY25 was 120,000 TEUs, or 90% utilisation.
What is the port code for Male Commercial Harbour?
The UN/LOCODE-style port code is MVMLE.
Where is Male Commercial Harbour located?
In the north-west corner of Malé Island, the capital of the Maldives.
Is Male Commercial Harbour open 24 hours?
Yes. Since January 26, 2026, the port allows 24-hour vessel entry, ending a 30-year restriction on night arrivals.
Which off-dock facilities serve Male Commercial Harbour?
The Hulhumale International Terminal (its main CFS/ICD) and the Thilafushi Industrial Hub, reached by barge.
In the news
Classification
Source: South Asia Container Market Report 2026, p. 88. Last updated Jan 2026.
