Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has been awarded a major harbour and jetty development project in HA. Baarah, aimed at improving maritime access, strengthening coastal infrastructure and providing safer harbour facilities for residents and vessels operating in the area.
The Ministry of Housing, Land and Infrastructure formally awarded the project to MTCC during a signing ceremony attended by senior officials and representatives of the island’s constituency.
State Minister Ismail Hameed signed the agreement on behalf of the ministry, while MTCC Deputy Managing Director Mohamed Jamsheed represented the state-owned company.
Baarah constituency MP Sujaau also attended the ceremony, marking the formal commencement of arrangements for the island’s harbour infrastructure development.
Under the agreement, MTCC has been given 540 days to complete the project, which involves extensive improvements to the harbour basin, entrance channel and surrounding coastal facilities.
A major component of the project involves deepening the harbour’s access channel to improve navigation for vessels entering and leaving the island.
The works will also include dredging the basin of the new harbour, creating sufficient depth and space to accommodate maritime activities.
These improvements are expected to make vessel movements more convenient, particularly for boats transporting passengers, cargo and essential supplies.
The project also includes the construction of a quay wall, providing a designated area for vessels to berth and facilitating the loading and unloading of passengers and goods.
A ramp will be installed as part of the harbour development, improving access between the waterfront and the island’s transport infrastructure.
In addition to the main harbour facilities, MTCC will construct a concrete jetty specifically designed for dinghies and other small vessels.
The dedicated jetty is expected to improve convenience for residents who depend on smaller boats for fishing, transport and other daily activities.
Coastal protection measures form another significant component of the project.
According to the Ministry of Housing, Land and Infrastructure, the works will include the installation of groynes and the construction of revetment structures on both sides of the harbour.
These structures are intended to help retain sand and protect the surrounding shoreline from erosion and changes caused by waves and currents.
A sand-filled breakwater will also be constructed to provide additional protection for the harbour and reduce the impact of wave activity on vessels using the facility.
Breakwaters play an important role in harbour development across the Maldives, where coastal conditions and seasonal changes in wave patterns can affect the safety and accessibility of maritime infrastructure.
The Baarah project will also include the installation of mooring buoys, allowing vessels to secure themselves at designated locations within the harbour area.
Harbour lighting and channel navigation lights will be installed to improve visibility and assist vessels navigating the harbour entrance, particularly during nighttime operations.
Together, these improvements are intended to provide a more functional and reliable harbour environment while addressing the operational needs of the island’s maritime users.
Baarah, located in Haa Alifu Atoll, is among the northern islands where maritime transport remains essential for connecting residents and businesses with neighbouring communities and regional service centres.
As with many inhabited islands across the Maldives, harbour infrastructure plays a central role in supporting everyday activities, including passenger transport, fishing, cargo deliveries and emergency travel.
Reliable harbour facilities are particularly important for island communities because sea transport remains the primary means of moving goods and passengers between many islands.
Inadequate harbour depth, limited berthing space and exposure to rough sea conditions can create difficulties for vessel operators, particularly during periods of adverse weather.
Harbour development projects therefore remain an important part of efforts to improve connectivity and strengthen essential infrastructure in communities outside the Greater Malé Region.
MTCC has extensive experience undertaking harbour construction, dredging, reclamation and coastal protection projects throughout the Maldives.
The state-owned company has been involved in developing maritime infrastructure across numerous atolls, including projects designed to improve harbour accessibility and protect vulnerable shorelines.
The Baarah development will combine harbour construction with coastal protection and navigational improvements, addressing several aspects of the island’s maritime infrastructure under a single project.
