Despite Muizzu’s earlier pledge to procure a new dredger before year ends, Muththalib announces vessel will be delivered next year

Despite President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s earlier pledge to acquire a dredger three times larger than MTCC’s current vessel by the end of this year, Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Dr. Abdulla Muththalib has stated that the new dredger will now arrive early next year.

Speaking on the state media's "Nation's Chat" podcast in September, President Muizzu announced that a new dredger, three times larger than the one currently operated by MTCC, will be brought to the country before the end of this year.

We have successfully secured a new dredger with three times the capacity of MTCC’s current vessel, the Mahaa Jarraafa. It is anticipated that this vessel will be brought to the Maldives before the end of this year. Once the vessel arrives, all pending land reclamation projects currently assigned to MTCC will proceed at an accelerated pace.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu

Despite President Muizzu's earlier remarks, Minister Muththalib stated during Monday night's "Ahaa" forum that the government is currently working to acquire a dredger with a capacity of 10,000 cubic meters. The Minister further noted that the vessel is expected to be delivered to the Maldives early next year.

Minister Muththalib stated that the primary obstacle to land reclamation efforts is the limited number of dredgers currently in MTCC’s fleet.

Currently, cutter suction dredgers are operational across various islands, while the company’s sole hopper dredger is also working continuously without interruption. However, due to existing constraints, the current dredger operated by MTCC has a capacity of only 3,000 cubic meters per cycle. As this capacity results in significant project delays, the government is now working to acquire a new dredger for MTCC with triple the capacity, capable of loading 10,000 cubic meters at once. It is anticipated that this new vessel will be brought to the Maldives early next year.

Dr. Abdulla Muththalib

Minister Muththalib stated that the arrival of the dredger will significantly accelerate the progress of land reclamation projects.

President Muizzu's administration launched numerous land reclamation projects across various islands in the lead-up to the local council elections. However, local councils are now reporting that these projects have come to a complete standstill.