CSCL to resume Colombo-Tuticorin ferry service

by Ananda Kannangara

The Ceylon Shipping Corporation Ltd (CSCL), the national carrier of Sri Lanka will resume the passenger service between the ports of Colombo and Tuticorin in India after considering operational, commercial and financial proposals that have been presented by three reputed companies to operate the service shortly.

The passenger ferry service launched by an Indian operator Ms Flemingo Liners Ltd in June last year was suspended in November, due to technical reasons. The ship was flagged off by Union Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan.

The CSCL acted as the General Sales Agent and the ground handling provider in Sri Lanka for the service, according to an MoU, signed by the Government of India and the Government of Sri Lanka.

Ceylon Shipping Corporation Ltd., General Manager Sunil Obadage told the Sunday Observer yesterday that in response to an Expression of Interest (EOI) published by CSCL in local and Indian newspapers calling for proposals to re-operate the service, three reputed companies have already shown an interest in this regard. “We have decided to deploy a vessel to carry around 500 passengers cum cargo in side ramps and the operation of the service at two-round voyages per week,” he said.

The CSCL will communicate with the applicants to ascertain if mutually beneficial proposals could be worked out to operate the service as early as possible. Meanwhile, Chairman, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust, A. Subbiah said that the ferry service will commence next month to coincide with the Sinhala New Year on April 13.