10 years on, ferry sets off to Maldives

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 21

A vessel set sail from Tuticorin to Male, marking the commencement of the maiden ferry service to Maldives that had been on the drawing board for nearly a decade.

Besides the obvious benefits of lowering the cost of imports in Maldives, the ferry services will also assist in the development of north Maldives as many small and medium businesses there will try to capitalise on duty concessions and access to products from India.

Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya and Maldives Minister of Transport Aishath Nahula jointly e-launched the direct cargo ferry service between India and Maldives.

During its maiden voyage, the vessel will sail from Tuticorin to Kochi, from where it will proceed to Kulhudhuffushi port in North Maldives and then to Male port. It is scheduled to reach Kulhudhuffushi after five days and Male on September 29. This ferry service, being operated by the Shipping Corporation of India, will run twice a month and will provide a cost effective, direct and alternate means of transportation of goods between India and Maldives, said a MEA news release.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his virtual meeting with the Maldives FM Abdulla Shahid on August 13 had said the ferry would start soon.

The MoU to establish ferry and cargo services by the sea was signed in June last year during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the Maldives.