Transport in the Maldives

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Laamu Link Road
Dhoni
in the Maldives

The Transport in the Maldives is highly facilitated by road, bridges, highways, air and water networks. The country has no railways.

26 atolls and over 1,000 coral islands. The absence of extensive road networks between islands necessitates a heavy reliance on boats and seaplanes for inter-island connectivity. Dhoni, traditional Maldivian wooden boats, and modern speedboats are widely used for short distances and local travel, while ferries provide regular services between inhabited islands.[3] For longer journeys, the Maldives domestic airlines operate seaplane and airplane services that link the capital, Malé
, with outlying atolls, enhancing both passenger and cargo transport across the islands.

economy
and the mobility of its residents.

Road transport

Road infrastructure in the Maldives is relatively limited due to the country's unique geography of dispersed atolls and islands. Most of the roads are found in the capital city of Malé, Hulhumalé, and a few other larger islands like Addu Atoll. The road network in Malé is characterized by narrow streets and heavy traffic congestion, reflective of the city's high population density. The Sinamalé Bridge, also known as the China–Maldives Friendship Bridge, is a significant development that connects Malé with Hulhulé Island, where the Velana International Airport is located, and the planned city of Hulhumalé. This bridge has greatly improved road connectivity and facilitated easier movement between these key areas. Outside of these urban centers, most islands rely on footpaths, bicycles, and motorcycles for local transport, with very few roads available due to the small size of the islands and the prioritization of maritime and air travel for longer distances.

Sinamalé Bridge, first islander bridge in the Maldives

In the capital city of

Feydhoo
.

Ports and harbours

Ports and harbors in the Maldives are crucial to the nation's economy, given the country's geographic composition as an archipelago of over 1,000 islands. In Malé city, there are several regional ports and harbors that facilitate inter-island transportation and support local economies, including Kulhudhuffushi Harbor and Hithadhoo Regional Port. These ports handle a mix of conventional and containerized cargo, essential for importing goods and exporting local products. The development and maintenance of these maritime facilities are vital for the Maldives, ensuring the efficient movement of goods and supporting the tourism industry, which is a significant contributor to the national GDP.

Malé Commercial Harbour is the primary hub of maritime activities and commerce in the Maldives. Located in the capital city of Malé, the port offers a range of essential services including marine pilotage, wharfage, and mooring. It is equipped to handle both conventional and containerized cargo, providing facilities for cargo handling, as well as stuffing and un-stuffing services. As the main port of the Maldives, Malé Commercial Harbour plays a critical role in the nation's economy by facilitating the import and export of goods, thereby supporting the archipelago's trade and logistics infrastructure.

Air transport

Further information:
Airports in the Maldives
Maldivian Airbus A32

The archipelago has 18 airports. Two had paved runways. One stretched over 10,000 ft (3,000 m). Another was in the range 8,000 to 9,999 ft (2,438 to 3,048 m). Three airports had unpaved runways of 3,000 to 4,999 ft (914 to 1,524 m). Five of the 18 airports schedule international flights.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Republic of Maldives". Background Notes. United States Department of State Office of Media Services. September 1971. The Maldives has no railways and no highways.
  2. ^ "Train in Maldives". Archived from the original on 13 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022. There are no rail services in Maldives.
  3. ISBN 9781841622668
    .

External links
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