Registration has opened for information sessions regarding the cargo ferry service launched between Maldives and India, says the Business Center Corporation’s branch located in Kulhudhuffushi City.

The corporation’s Manager Areesha Moosa revealed that Haa Dhaal atoll council and the Maldives State Shipping Company Private Limited is jointly preparing to launch an online session for business leaders.

The opportunity to participate in the session has been opened for those interested to import goods through the cargo ferry, revealed the company.

Details for registration at island councils have been publicized, this include providing names and other important information.

Highlighting that the session is not specifically targeted towards businessmen in Haa Dhaal atoll, Areesha noted that those in Haa Alif and Shaviyani atoll also have the opportunity to participate.

The opportunity will be extended in accordance with demand for the sessions.

Areesha added that the service will pave ways for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to acquire goods efficiently and in turn lead to economic growth in the region.

President of the Kulhudhuffushi City Council, Abdul Latheef Hassan told RaajjeMV that they have also opened registration opportunity, having set the deadline at 10am, Wednesday.

The maiden ferry from the cargo ferry service launched between India and Maldives docked in Kulhudhuffushi City early morning on Saturday and arrived in Maldives capital, Malé City on Monday.

‘MCP Linz’ brought in about 500 tonnes of goods including construction materials such as cement bags, and agricultural goods as well as machineries and food supply were unloaded from the ferry.

The maiden voyage of the service was launched on September 21. India will subsidize the service at approximately USD three million.

Operated by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), the cargo ferry vessel, ‘MCP Linz’ will connect Tuticorin and Cochin ports of India with Kulhudhufushi City and Madives capital, Malé City. The combination vessel has the capacity to carry 380 Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEUs) and 3,000 metric tons of bulk cargo and has a turnaround time of 10 – 12 days for its voyages.

Discussions to initiate the service between both countries was held during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Maldives during 2019, after the PM’s address to the People’s Majlis. Following this, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the neighboring country’s shipping ministry and the transport ministry of Maldives.

The cargo ferry service is deemed a key instrument to upgrade the trade partnership and liberate logistics on both sides. The service connectivity to the northern port of Kulhudhuffushi will “underpin the economic development” in the north of Maldives and facilitate investments in tourism and other engines of prosperity.

The cargo ferry service has been described as another commitment delivered by India to connect markets of both countries and unlock trade and investment potential between both countries. Ferries have been scheduled 2 – 3 times a month.