Bonded Zone Development Begins at Hithadhoo Commercial Port
New facilities to support trade and reduce import costs in southern Maldives
Hithadhoo, 7 February 2026 - The development of a bonded zone for essential food storage has commenced at Hithadhoo Commercial Port in Addu City, marking an important step in improving cargo handling and trade services in the southern region.
The project, announced as part of a national development initiative, includes bonded storage for essential food items, bonded warehousing, and bulk cargo handling facilities. These services were officially inaugurated at a special ceremony held in Hithadhoo, officiated by the Minister of Economic Development, Mohamed Saeed.
An agreement for the introduction of these services was signed between the Ministry of Economic Development and Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), with the agreement signed by Minister Saeed and MPL’s Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Rishwan.
With the launch of these facilities, businesses in the southern atolls will benefit from reduced cargo clearance costs and the ability to import goods closer to their operations. The new services are also expected to support economic activity across the region, including positive impacts on the construction sector.
Hithadhoo Regional Port, which has been in operation for over 20 years under MPL, serves as the main commercial port for the southern region and continues to play a vital role in regional trade and economic development.
The project, announced as part of a national development initiative, includes bonded storage for essential food items, bonded warehousing, and bulk cargo handling facilities. These services were officially inaugurated at a special ceremony held in Hithadhoo, officiated by the Minister of Economic Development, Mohamed Saeed.
An agreement for the introduction of these services was signed between the Ministry of Economic Development and Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), with the agreement signed by Minister Saeed and MPL’s Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Rishwan.
With the launch of these facilities, businesses in the southern atolls will benefit from reduced cargo clearance costs and the ability to import goods closer to their operations. The new services are also expected to support economic activity across the region, including positive impacts on the construction sector.
Hithadhoo Regional Port, which has been in operation for over 20 years under MPL, serves as the main commercial port for the southern region and continues to play a vital role in regional trade and economic development.