Addu City, Maldives – Preparations have become to research the possibility of establishing a shipping route from Addu to Africa through India.
In the council meeting held today at Addu City Council, Mayor of the city, Abdullah Sodiq (Sobe) revealed that a meeting was held with some captains working in the shipping industry, businessmen and ship agents, by the council and Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed.
“It was to arrange a pilot program to connect Addu to East Africa and then India, or East and West with a shipping route. The purpose of this is to work with people from the industry to arrange and work towards the pilot program in the upcoming days.” Sobe said.
Speaking further on the matter, Sobe said that the purpose of this route is to establish a link between Cochin and Addu as well as with East African countries, such as the link established between Hdh. Hanimaadhoo and Cochin.
“The hope is to increase the shipments via the regional sea port of Addu and to connect Addu, India and the African continent.” He said.
While the cargo connectivity between Cochin, Hanimaadhoo and Male’ has been established recently, the first cargo shipment arrived from India to Hanimaadhoo on last Saturday. She vessel departed to Male’ after offloading cargo to be dropped off at Kulhudhuffushi. The vessel is reported to have carried 500 tonnes of goods.
