Boat owners transporting goods to islands report being stranded for up to seven days at Hulhumalé quay due to inadequate docking facilities. The designated area is enclosed by iron sheets with only a small opening, making cargo loading and unloading nearly impossible. Crews face shortages of water and food supplies, while islands experience delays in receiving essential goods ahead of Ramadan.
Loading and unloading is carried out in very difficult conditions due to poor arrangements at Hulumale
Vessel operators have reported severe difficulties arising from boats being diverted to Hulhumalé, as a result of the ongoing construction of Boduthakurufaanu Magu on the northern side of the capital Malé City, which has led to the extensive closure of a significant portion of the Malé lagoon.
This situation has left several vessels stranded and unable to complete their necessary operations.
Boat owners who arrived to transport goods to the islands have stated that no convenient arrangements have been made for boats to dock at the Hulhumalé quay.
As a result, there are no facilities available for unloading cargo or loading new goods. The designated land area for vessels to dock is entirely enclosed by corrugated iron sheets, leaving only a small, makeshift opening to facilitate cargo loading and passenger embarkation and disembarkation.
This opening, created by bending back one of the iron sheets, has proven impractical, as it is nearly impossible for an individual to reach a boat, whether by bending over or by carrying items across the barrier.
One of the boat owners expressed significant concern, stating that with large quantities of cargo needing to be loaded, it remains unclear how such an operation can be carried out under the current, challenging circumstances.
Vessel operators have reported being stranded in the lagoon for seven days. They remain uncertain about when they will be able to load or unload goods and there is no indication of when the situation will improve.
The prolonged delay has led to growing complaints about essential food supplies running out in some islands.
In addition to this, boat owners are incurring substantial losses due to their vessels being stuck in the lagoon for far longer than usual, as boats typically spend no more than three to four days in the lagoon before returning to the islands.
A crew member on a Malé-bound boat revealed that their vessel has been idle in the lagoon for four days and is now critically low on water, with no means of replenishing it.
The crew member explained, "Typically, a boat carries enough water for one or two days, for washing and other uses. If the water runs out here, there's no way to get more onto the boat. As the crew members say, this is a prison for those of us who come from the islands."
The captain of another boat emphasized that the greatest difficulty is the total enclosure of the area by the corrugated iron sheets. He pointed out that if the area were more accessible, it would be possible to make a call, have a pickup truck deliver supplies, and find a solution.
A spokesperson for one of the boats further criticized the lack of proper planning and arrangements, noting that it has led to numerous difficulties and financial losses. They also expressed uncertainty about where to direct complaints regarding these issues.
With the fasting month of Ramadan approaching, business owners have already begun arranging for goods to be transported to the islands. However, the unexpected obstacles in using the Malé lagoon have created additional burdens for these businesses, according to one operator of a boat currently stranded in the Hulhumalé lagoon.
