The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) announced on Saturday evening that approximately 75 percent of the dredging tasks for the third phase of the Hulhumale’ development project have been finished.

Dredging for Phase III, designated mainly for residential development, restarted on November 10 following a hiatus. The initiative was initially started in September 2023 under previous President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, during which 24 hectares of land were restored.

MACL reported that 47 hectares have been excavated to date in the ongoing phase, representing 74.6 percent of the intended work.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu declared late last month that the dredging of both the Giravaru lagoon and Hulhumale’ Phase III would wrap up in three months. He stated this while announcing the arrival of another dredger from the Netherlands to speed up the project. Up until that point, just a single dredger had been functioning.

The President stated that the Phase III reclamation would be finished by the month's end.

Dredging is in progress with two trailing suction hopper dredgers, TSHD Prins der Nederlanden and TSHD Oranje, both having a capacity of 22,000 cubic meters.

Capital Marine and Civil Construction (CMC) has been hired to reclaim 63 hectares during Phase III. Following the project's halt, dredging of the remaining 38 hectares has recently recommenced.

The Ministry of Construction previously stated that the postponement resulted from an assessment of the Hulhumale’ master plan.