COCHIN: ‘M.V. MCP Linz’ which made its maiden call to Cochin on inaugural India-Maldives service was accorded a formal reception at Cochin Port on 22.09.2020. 

 

In a brief felicitation ceremony held at Cochin Port, Dr. M.Beena IAS, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust exchanged a plaque with the Captain of the vessel to commemorate the maiden call. Shri. P.K. Mohammed Yousaf IRS, Commissioner of Customs, Cochin was the Guest of Honour during the function which was attended by Shri Deepak L.  Aswani, FICCI State co-chair, Shri. Krishna Kumar, President, Cochin Steamer Agents’ Association, Sri. Alan Jose, President, Cochin Customs Brokers’ Association, representatives of vessel agent and other dignitaries.

 

The vessel will sail for Maldives after loading containers and break bulk cargo from Cochin.

 

M.V. MCP Linz, operated by Shipping Corporation of India, has a capacity to carry 3000TEUs and 3000MT dry bulk/break-bulk. The service will connect Tuticorn–Cochin–Maldives ports once in a fortnight.

 

Shri. Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Shipping (Independent charge), Government of India and Ms. Aishath Nahula, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Republic of Maldives, had jointly launched the Cargo Ferry Service from India to Maldives through video conferencing on 21.09.2020.

 

This brings to fruition the commitment made by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India to Maldives in June, 2019 to start a direct shipping service between Maldives and India, connecting the ports of Tuticorin and Cochin.

 

The direct India-Maldives services offers tremendous opportunities to the members of the export-import trade in Cochin/India to tap the potential of the Maldives market. Marine products, construction materials, tiles and ceramics, food-grains & pulses, flour, vegetables, edible oil, meat products etc. are some of the areas of huge potential for the Indian exporters.