'Maldives-India cargo ferry service will promote bilateral ties, boost economies': PM Modi

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Maldives-India cargo ferry service will promote bilateral trade and boost ecomies of both countries. This statement from Prime Minister comes as Maldives-India cargo ferry service made its maiden voy.  A direct cargo ferry service between India and Maldives was launched on Monday, establishing first such shipping line connecting two Indian Ocean neighbours.

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Saturday took to Twitter and thanked PM Modi, adding that  ferry would furr strengn Maldives, India friendship, and bring greater prosperity to our communities. In response to that, PM Modi in his tweet mentioned that direct ferry service between India and Maldives will promote bilateral trade and boost our ecomies. 

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ferry service, which was first anunced by PM Narendra Modi in June 2019 during his visit to Maldives, was launched in an e-flag off ceremony jointly by MOS (Independent Charge) Ministry of Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of Maldives Aishath Nahula.

commencement of service was anunced by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his virtual meeting with his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Shahid on August 13 this year.

During its maiden voy, a vessel with a capacity of 200 TEU and 3000 MT of breakbulk cargo will sail from Tuticorin to Kochi from where it will make a stop at Kulhudhuffushi port in rth Maldives, before it reaches Male on September 29. 

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It is expected that ferry service will herald direct connectivity for movement of cargo between India and Maldives and reby give a boost to bilateral trade. Despite geographical proximity, India is currently only 4th largest trade partner of Maldives, behind China. India’s bilateral trade has hovered around USD 280 million annually for some years w and stood at USD 286.85 million in 2019.