Dedicated Cargo Ferry Service between India and Maldives to boost business between the two countries: Joint Secretary, MEA

Aug 28, 2020

NEW DELHI, 28 August 2020: Mr Amit Narang, Joint Secretary (Indian Ocean Region), Ministry of External Affairs, GoI, on Wednesday said that the commencement of the direct dedicated Cargo Ferry Service between India and The Maldives is an important milestone in the geo-economic and political relations between the two countries.  

 

Addressing a virtual interaction with key stakeholders organised by FICCI on commencing of direct dedicated Cargo Ferry Service between India and Maldives, Mr Narang said that it would be a huge boost for business communities in both countries to expand their businesses and trade relations.     

 

Mr Sunjay Sudhir, Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives said that this is an important step forward in the 'Neighborhood First policy' of the Government of India and the culmination of the MoU between India and Maldives, signed in 2019 by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India and President of the Republic of Maldives, with an aim to improve connectivity through an alternate and lesser expensive means of transport for goods.  

 

Ms H K Joshi, CMD, Shipping Corporation of India, said that the Shipping Corporation is extremely delighted to support the initiative. Detailing the first scheduled cargo ferry service, Ms Joshi said, "The first vessel- a container cum bulk vessel, shall commence for its maiden trip from Tuticorin on September 20 this year and is expected to reach Kochi in two days' time. It would then reach Male on September 26. After completing all cargo operations at Male, the vessel shall return to Tuticorin on October 1." 

 

The turnaround time of the vessel would be 10-12 days depending on the actual vessel operations at Male. The vessel can carry all types of commodities, such as electrical machinery, furniture, toilet fittings, white goods, pharmaceuticals, iron and steel construction materials, along with perishable goods. There would, at least, be two to three voyages in a month, she further added.  

 

Mr Jayaseelan, Director, Ministry of Shipping was all appreciative of the proposed Cargo Ferry Service to the island nation and assured of its proactive support.  

 

Dr M Beena, Chairperson, Cochin Port Trust, and Mr T K Ramachandran, Chairman, VOC Port Trust expressed their happiness in partnering the initiative. This is a major step towards India's efforts in connecting closely in business and with the people of Maldives, especially for two the South Indian states- Kerala and Tamil Nadu, that are closely located and have trade and business activities with Maldives, they said. 

 

This important step has been initiated to actualize the proposed ferry service following the feasibility study conducted by FICCI with the High Commission of Maldives to assess the potential of imports and exports between the two countries and the economic viability of commencing the cargo ferry service after PM Modi's announcement last year.