New Delhi: A year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised a ferry service between India and the Maldives, the service was formally launched on Monday (September 21, 2020). The service connects the Indian ports of Tuticorin and Cochin with the ports of Kulhudhuhfushi and Male in the Maldives.
Prime Minister Modi during his visit to the country in 2019 had announced the ferry service in the Maldives Parliament or in the People’s Majlis. The visit was his first visit abroad after assuming the post of prime minister in the second term.
India’s Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya, speaking at the virtual event that launched the service, said: “He fulfilled Prime Minister Modi’s important commitment to the Maldives last year. The service will increase the contact of people to people between the two countries and will help ensure stable and predictable trade and food security for the people of Maldives. ”
The direct freight ferry service was jointly launched today by the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation. @aishath_nahula And minister of maritime transport @mansukhmandviya. A key instrument to improve our trade association, the Ferry Service will also support eco. dvpt. Northern Maldives. pic.twitter.com/gsNBgOD1xX
– India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) September 21, 2020
The envoy from India to the Maldives, Sunjay Sudhir, was also present at the virtual event.
The MCP Linz cargo ferry vessel operated by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) will connect the ports of India and the Maldives. The ship is expected to arrive in Kulhudhuhfushi on September 26 and Malé on September 28.
Maldivian Transport Minister Aishath Nahula said the service will empower the islands of the northern Maldives and is a key milestone in decentralizing economic activity.
Kulhudhuhfushi is a port in the north of the Maldives.
The vessel that is used for the ferry service can carry 380 TEU and 3000 MT in bulk cargo and has refrigerated containers.
The Cargo service will open up the large Indian market for Maldivian tuna exporters and provide a stepping stone to Europe via the ports of Cochin and Tuticorin. The port of Cochin has weekly connectivity with Europe through a 6,500 TEU vessel.
The decision to start the freight ferry service between the two countries was announced during a virtual meeting between EAM Dr.S. Jaishankar and Chancellor Abdulla Shahid in August. India will subsidize the service at approximately $ 3 million.
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