Direct shipping service between Maldives and Tuticorin has been launched on 5th May, as part of an agreement between India’s Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways and Maldives’ Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.
The service was inaugurated as India’s Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur flagged off the vessel ‘M V MSS Galena’ from V O Chidambaranar Port. MSS Galena will operate three calls per month between the two countries.
The first ship purchased by Maldives State Shipping (MSS), MSS Galena has a capacity of 421 TEUs. The vessel arrived at PSA SICAL Container Terminal on 4th May and was loaded with 270 TEUs of containers at PSA SICAL Container Terminal. It is scheduled to reach Male’ from Tuticorin on 7th May.
Earlier, the bulk cargo bound to Maldives from Tuticorin were routed through Colombo. With the launch of direct shipping service, logistics and other costs are cut along with enhanced connectivity and reduced transportation time, said Minister Thakur.
“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.
