Addu City, Maldives – Maldives State Shipping Limited (MSS) has announced that the first cargo ferry between Addu City and Tuticorin of India will commence during the first week of December.
Speaking with local media outlet, ‘adduLIVE’, the Managing Director of MSS, Captain Abdullah Saeed said that the ferry has set out to Tuticoin, which will be making cargo ferry trips between Tuticoin, Huvadhoo and Addu.
Our vessel has set out to Tuticorin, from Male. We expect to harbor at Tuticorin by the 27th of this month, and return to Addu on the 6th of December.
– Captain Abdullah Saeed, Managing Director of Maldives State Shipping Limited (MSS)
Saeed further said that this link would be very beneficial to the businessmen of Addu as as it would allow them to import goods to the city at a much cheaper rate. He also added that bookings are now open for goods.
We are expecting that the businessmen of Addu would start efforts on bringing goods within the next two days. With this opportunity, businessmen will be able to bring in perishable and iced goods to Addu in a fresh state.
– Captain Abdullah Saeed, Managing Director of Maldives State Shipping Limited (MSS)
Speaking further about the service, Saeed said that the ferry services will be regulated within a schedule and that this link would also enable the decrease in price of goods in the area.
MSS has since publicized the rates at which goods can be brought to Addu via Tuticorin, which is;
- 1 tonne general cargo – USD 35
- 1 tonne LCL cargo – USD 39
- 1 tonne refrigirated cargo – USD 69
Our hope is to make a trip every 20 days, which is now being discussed with Maldives Ports Limited as well.
– Captain Abdullah Saeed, Managing Director of Maldives State Shipping Limited (MSS)
Hithadhoo Ports Limited also commented on the newly established link between Addu and Tuticorin, saying that this would allow the public to receive goods at a much affordable rate and that this is an advancement to the Hithadhoo Port, as well as the businessmen from Addu.
The news of establishing a cargo ferry between Addu, Huvadhoo and Tuticorin was first announced by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during the opening ceremony of HA. Hoarafushi Airport on 20th November.
