Gaafaru Council Opens Bids for 30-Year Boatyard Lease in Industrial Zone

The Secretariat of the Gaafaru Council has officially opened tenders for the lease of land within the island’s dedicated industrial zone to construct and operate a commercial boatyard under a long-term 30-year lease agreement.

The initiative aims to expand maritime support infrastructure in Kaafu Atoll, tapping into growing local demand for vessel maintenance, repair, and shipbuilding services.

Tender Key Details & Important Timelines

According to the council's announcement, bidding is open to registered Sole Proprietorships (under Act No. 2014/19) and Companies registered in the Maldives (under Act No. 2023/07).

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                        TENDER TIMELINE & PROCESS                       │
├──────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Document Purchase Deadline│ October 1, 2026 @ 14:00 hrs                 │
├──────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Information Session      │ October 5, 2026 @ 10:30 hrs                 │
├──────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Clarification Deadline   │ October 8, 2026 @ 14:00 hrs                 │
├──────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Bid Submission & Opening │ October 11, 2026 @ 10:30 hrs                │
└──────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Registration Process and Bidding Requirements

To participate in the procurement process, interested developers and operators must purchase the official Bid Document directly from the Gaafaru Council Secretariat for a non-refundable fee of MVR 2,000.00. Payment must be made via bank transfer to the council's designated Bank of Maldives account under the name Gaafaru Councilge Idhaaraa (Account Number: 7730000331135).

Applicants are required to complete the official Bid Registration Form and email it along with the deposit receipt to info@gaafaru.gov.mv no later than October 1, 2026, at 14:00 hrs. Only registered parties that complete the document purchase within this specified window will be eligible to attend the information session on October 5 and submit proposals on October 11.

Strategic Significance

By securing a 30-year tenure for the industrial land parcel, the Gaafaru Council seeks to attract private sector capital to bolster local maritime industrial capacity. Establishing a fully equipped boatyard in K. Gaafaru will provide strategic haul-out, maintenance, and repair options for safari vessels, fishing fleets, and speedboat operators in the central atolls.