Flemingo Liners is to launch its ferry service from Thoothukudi’s V.O. Chidambaranar port. The much-awaited ferry service was delayed for more than a decade.
The ministry of shipping in the UPA-I regime had tried to re-start the service in 2004, but the Tamil Nadu government under chief minister J. Jayalalithaa raised objections on grounds of national security.
In her letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on August 4, 2004, Ms Jayalalithaa stated, “A lasting peace with a durable political settlement has to be reached in Sri Lanka before the commencement of the ferry service can be thought of.”
Since then the project was put in cold storage until the political unrest in Sri Lanka was over and now the two governments have cleared the commencement of the ferry service, which, both countries feel would enhance bilateral ties.
V.O. Chidambaranar port trust chairman A. Subbaiah said the ferry would be flagged off by Union minister of shipping G.K. Vasan at 3.30 pm on Monday and have 66 goodwill ambassadors on board.
It will reach Colombo on Tuesday at 8 am .
According to a booking agency source, around 500 passengers are expected to sail from Thoothukudi.
Edwyn Samuel, a shipping company owner and an educationist running the Euro Kids chain of schools in the southern districts, said the ferry service would contribute to tourism in the region.
MV Scotia Prince can carry 1,044 passengers. The service is primarily aimed at enhancing people-to-people contact between the two neighbours.
Ship trip
MV Scotia Prince
*1,044 passengers
*307 cabins
*300 tonnes of cargo
*40 crew members
*Rs 2,243 for economy berth
*Rs 2,760 for super deluxe berth
*2 trips a week between Thoothukudi and Colombo
