Cochin ferry to transport cargo from Sri Lanka to Maldives

Indian cargo vessel docked in Male' | Photo: Social Media

Male’, Maldives – Government of India grants permission for Cochin ferry to transport cargo from Sri Lanka to The Maldives.

Speaking to local media outlet Sun, Managing Director of Maldives State Shipping (MSS), Abdullah Saeed informed that the Cochin ferry left Maldives on its maiden voyage this Wednesday night and that it will making stops at Sri Lanka around 6th or 7th of this month, and finally reach India on the 8th.

Noting that the ferry will now be traveling through the Sri Lankan route, Saeed stated that Cochin ferry will hereafter make a stop at Colombo on its way to India. Saeed noted that this change would bring indirect benefits to the business operators in Maldives.

It will solve service disruptions and issues such as shipments getting stuck in Colombo.

Managing Director of MSS, Abdullah Saeed

Earlier June, MSS requested the Indian Government for permission to allow the Cochin ferry to import cargo from Sri Lanka through the Indian High Commission. He thanked the Indian High Commissioner Sunjay Sudhir for his support in securing permission from the Indian government. 

The agreement between both countries, which was signed when the Prime Minister of India visited Maldives, states that 3,000 metric tonne capacity vessel would allow inexpensive travel between both countries, as transfer of cargo between both countries, allowing Maldivian businessmen to penetrate the Indian market.