Main vessel in bridge construction sent off; replacement awaited
A total of 12 pillars are under construction.
By
Ahmed Naif
Rumailah, the largest vessel used in the Greater Male Connectivity Project, has departed the Maldives.
Mohammed Jinan, project manager of the Thilamale bridge, told Atoll Times on Monday that the Rumailah had left the country on Sunday. He denied reports that the vessel left due to non-payment of dues.
Jinan cited as reason for sending Rumailah:
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The work to be done using the vessel at the moment has been completed
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Even if it was sent off, the work on the bridge would not be affected in any way
"The money was paid to the vessel. Nothing like that happened. At the moment, it didn't have work to do, so we sent it off," Jinan said.
"The contractor has assured us that the previously set milestones will be achieved during the same deadline as before."
What is Rumailah?
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A 63-metre-long and 52-metre-wide offshore support vessel used for various activities under the sea
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It has been used since early last year to install pillars on the sea floor
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Owned by a company called Gulf Drilling International
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The vessel also has a helipad and facilities for the employees to stay for a long time
It is learnt that India's Afcons, which has been contracted to build the bridge connecting Male, Villimale, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi, has decided to bring a ship better suited than Rumailah for the bridge works. The new vessel will be used for installation of pillars at the far ends.
Jinan said that the work on the pillars installed on the ground in Male is going on in full swing and the work on the super structure of these pillars is currently underway. Jinan said work is also underway on six pillars that have to be installed in the sea towards Villimale.
He said 50% of the work on the bridge from Villimale sector has been completed. Jinan said that once the area is reclaimed, work on the pillars installed on the land in Villimale will begin.
A total of 12 pillars are under construction.
In the first phase of the bridge, 50 pillars will be installed at different heights to connect Villimale to Gulhifalhu. That portion has to be completed by December.
