India & Maldives commence a cargo ferry service connecting Tuticorin and Cochin ports with Male

With the aim of cutting costs and time taken to transport goods between India and the Maldives, the two countries launched a cargo ferry service connecting Tuticorin and Cochin ports with Male. The maiden voyage of the ferry service was launched during a virtual ceremony by Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping, Government of India and the Maldives’ Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Aishath Nahula. The cargo vessel MCP Linz, operated by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), will travel from Tuticorin to Cochin and then to Kulhudhuhfushi port in the north of the Indian Ocean before making its way to Male on September 29.
The service shall have a round voyage of 14 days connecting Cochin, Tuticorin and Kulhudhuhfushi Male with a container cum break bulk vessel having a capacity to carry about 200 TEUs and 3000 metric tonnes of cargo. This vessel provides direct cargo connectivity between India and the Maldives on a predictable and affordable basis for the first time, and will lower costs and times for traders in both countries. The ceremony was joined by representatives of Tuticorin and Cochin ports and officials of the Maldives Ports Limited and the foreign ministry of the Maldives.