The direct ship service between Thoothukudi and Maldives poses a threat to mechanised coastal sail vessel service between these two destinations.
The service was inaugurated on September 21. Besides carrying 16 containers, the maiden ship left Thoothukudi for Male with 2,000 tonnes of other cargo – mostly construction materials, fruits and vegetables. The service has opened new business avenues for exporters but mechanised sail vessel industry, which was operating vessels to Colombo, Lakshadweep and the Maldives from Thoothukudi, is facing a threat.
The Old Harbour, the base of mechanised coastal sail vessels, which once handled up to 35 vessels, now has 19 vessels. While nine vessels shuttle between the Maldives and Thoothukudi with 450 to 500 tonnes of cargo, 10 vessels take cargo to Lakshadweep.
After enjoying excellent business for decades, the mechanised vessel industry…