The first-ever Cargo Ferry Service between India and the Maldives was jointly launched on Monday opening a new chapter in connectivity initiatives in the Indian Ocean Region.
This is the first time that a direct cargo shipping line is connecting the two neighbouring countries.
The service will run twice a month and will be operated by Shipping Corporation of India.
The ferry service, which was announced by PM Narendra Modi in June 2019 during his visit to Maldives, was launched in an e-flag-off ceremony jointlyby MoS (Independent Charge) Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of Maldives Aishath Nahula.
Commencement of the service was announced by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his virtual meeting with the Foreign Minister ofMaldives Abdulla Shahid on August 13.
The direct ferry will reduce transportation cost, provide a timely, short and cost-effective means of transportation for goods from India to Maldives and thereby incentivize more trade between the two countries.
The ferry has a cold storage facility, which will allow more exports from Maldives of tuna fish and other marine food items