Tuticorin: A vessel ‘M.V. MSS Galena’ from V.O. Chidambaranar Port, was flagged off as the Direct Shipping Service between Tuticorin to Maldives, by Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur, today.
This service is being operated as a culmination of the Memorandum of Understanding signed for the establishment of passenger and cargo services by sea between the Ministry of Port, Shipping & Waterways, Government of India, and Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Government of Maldives on June 8, 2019, during the State visit of Prime Minister of India to Maldives. This is also in line with the ‘Neighbourhood-First Policy’ and the vision of Security and Growth for all in the Region.
‘M.V. MSS Galena’, a vessel with a carrying capacity of 421 TEUs of containers and provision to carry bulk cargo, deployed by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), arrived at PSA SICAL Container Terminal on May 4, 2023. It was loaded with 270 TEUs of containers at PSA SICAL Container Terminal. It sailed from Tuticorin to Male today and is scheduled to reach Male on May 7, 2023. The rotation of this shipping service is Tuticorin – Male – Tuticorin and is scheduled to make three calls a month.
Earlier the bulk cargo bound to Maldives from Tuticorin was sent through barges and sail ships and the containers bound to Maldives were routed through Colombo. A service between Tuticorin – Kochi – Kulhudhuffushi – Male was operated by the SCI. Vessel ‘MCP Linz’ with a capacity of 200 TEUs of containers and 3000 tonnes of general cargo was launched on September 21, 2020. The contract concluded on August 28, 2022.
Thakur said this service added a new chapter to connectivity initiatives taken by both countries in (IOR) Indian Ocean Region and promoted, developed and stabilized shipping connectivity between Indian and Maldivian ports. “This will further give impetus to bilateral trade between India & Maldives and thus will lead to greater trade and economic opportunities & enhance maritime trade links with a renewed vigour between the two countries,” he added.
– global bihari bureau
