MoS Shipping flags off direct container shipping service from Tuticorin to Maldives

New Delhi: Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur on Friday flagged off the vessel ‘M V MSS Galena’ from V O Chidambaranar Port for initiating the Direct Shipping Service between Tuticorin and Maldives, said the Ministry in a statement.

MoU signed by India & Maldives on June 8, 2019

"This service is being operated as a culmination of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed for the establishment of passenger and cargo services by Sea between the Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, and the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Government of Maldives on June 8, 2019, during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Maldives," the statement added.

MV MSS Galena arrived at PSA SICAL Container Terminal on May 4

"The vessel ‘M V MSS Galena’ has a carrying capacity of 421 TEUs of containers and provision to carry bulk cargo. It was deployed by Shipping Corporation of India. The vessel arrived at PSA SICAL Container Terminal on May 4.  It was loaded with 270 TEUs of containers at PSA SICAL Container Terminal," said the statement. Further, it added that the vessel will sail from Tuticorin to Male on Friday. It is scheduled to reach Male on May 7. "The rotation of this shipping service is Tuticorin – Male – Tuticorin and it is scheduled to make three calls per month," it added.

'Launch of this service will provide impetus to bilateral trade between India & Maldives'

Speaking on the occasion, Shantanu Thakur said, "The launch of this historic and pioneering service concretely fulfilled the commitment made by our Prime Minister during his visit to Maldives. Not only this initiative helped to cut logistics and other costs but also enhanced connectivity and reduced the time taken to transport goods between our two countries." He said that this service added a new chapter to connectivity initiatives taken by both countries in the Indian Ocean Region. It also promoted, developed, and stabilised shipping connectivity between Indian and Maldivian ports. "This will further give impetus to bilateral trade between India and Maldives. Thus, it will lead to greater trade and economic opportunities and enhanced maritime trade links with a renewed vigour between the two countries," he added.

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