New Delhi: Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Shipping, Mansukh Mandaviya in collaboration with Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of Maldives, AishathNahula, on Monday launched a direct cargo ferry service between India and Maldives.
During its maiden voyage, a vessel with a capacity of 200 TEU and 3000 MT of breakbulk cargo will sail from Tuticorin to Kochi today, from where it will proceed to Kulhudhuffushi port in North Maldives and then to Male port.
It is scheduled to reach Kulhudhuffushi on September 26, 2020, and Male on September 29, 2020. 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.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Shipping, Mandaviya said that this service is another milestone in the comprehensive bilateral relations between India and Maldives.
He mentioned that this direct cargo service will further cement the close ties between India and Maldives by enhancing people-to-people contact and boosting bilateral trade.
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“Launch of ferry service between India and Maldives concretely fulfils the commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the Maldives in June last year. Cargo ship will sail from Tuticorin to Kochi today and expected to reach Male on 29th September 2020”, he tweeted.
Launch of ferry service between India and Maldives concretely fulfils the commitment made by Prime Minister Shri @NarendraModi during his visit to the Maldives in June last year
Cargo ship will sail from Tuticorin to Kochi today & expected to reach Male on 29th September 2020 pic.twitter.com/MSshixB6Oo
">Launch of ferry service between India and Maldives concretely fulfils the commitment made by Prime Minister Shri @NarendraModi during his visit to the Maldives in June last year
— Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) September 21, 2020
Cargo ship will sail from Tuticorin to Kochi today & expected to reach Male on 29th September 2020 pic.twitter.com/MSshixB6Oo
Launch of ferry service between India and Maldives concretely fulfils the commitment made by Prime Minister Shri @NarendraModi during his visit to the Maldives in June last year
— Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) September 21, 2020
Cargo ship will sail from Tuticorin to Kochi today & expected to reach Male on 29th September 2020 pic.twitter.com/MSshixB6Oo
The direct cargo service ensures alternate and less expensive modes of transport along with promoting economic, social and cultural ties between India and Maldives.
The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of Maldives, AishathNahula expressed deep appreciation for the launch of the service as reflective of the close ties of friendship and cooperation between India and Maldives.
The launch of this service concretely fulfils the commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the Maldives in June last year and the announcement made by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his virtual meeting with the Foreign Minister of Maldives on August 13, 2020.
The senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, Shipping ministry and officials of Maldives were also present.
