Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur on Friday (5 May) flagged off the direct shipping service between Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu to Maldives.

Thakur flagged off flagged off the vessel ‘M V MSS Galena’ from V O Chidambaranar Port.

The vessel ‘M V MSS Galena’, a vessel with carrying capacity of 421 TEUs of containers &and provision to carry bulk cargo, deployed by Shipping Corporation of India, was loaded with 270 TEUs of containers at PSA SICAL Container Terminal.

‘M.V. MSS Galena’ started sailing from Tuticorin on Friday (5 May) and is scheduled to reach Male on Sunday (7 May).

The rotation of this shipping service is Tuticorin – Male – Tuticorin, and is scheduled to make three calls a month, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said in a statement.

Speaking on the occasion, Thakur said the launch of the shipping service concretely fulfilled the commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Maldives.

He said this service adds a new chapter to connectivity initiatives taken by both countries in (IOR) Indian Ocean Region and promotes, develops and stabilises shipping connectivity between Indian and Maldivian ports.

This will further give impetus to bilateral trade between India and Maldives, and thus will lead to greater trade and economic opportunities and enhance maritime trade links with a renewed vigour between the two countries, he added.