Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC)’s CEO Adam Azim has said the physical works of 43 ferry terminals in the islands of the northern atolls of Maldives have commenced and the company aims to build ferry terminals in all inhabited islands by 2023.
As part of the government’s massive Integrated National Public Ferry Network (INPFN) project to connect all the inhabited islands of Maldives with a high speed ferry network, the first phase of the ferry services will be rendered at the most northern atolls of Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, and Shaviyani. Moreover, MTCC in collaboration with Gulf Craft are currently designing the ferries required for the project along with building the required infrastructure such as the ferry terminals.
The ferry terminals or ‘Dhathuru Hiyaa’ will be built based on the size and population of the island. Currently, the works on Hoarafushi, Hanimaadhoo, Dhidhoo, and Ihavandhoo terminals are progressing rapidly, while the structures required for the ‘ferry stops’ in 25 islands are being developed in Kulhudhuffushi, according to MTCC’s CEO Adam Azim.
Azim also said that the ferry terminals at 41 islands for the first phase of INPFN will be completed by June. Moreover, the ferry services in the three northern atolls will commence by April. He also added that this is a massive project but the government and MTCC will do their best to change the current situation of the people to something better and convenient.
The first phase of INFPN is set to cost around MVR 157 million, with MVR 107 million solely spent on designing 17 high-speed ferries for the project and MVR 50 million allocated for building ferry terminals.
