THE Maldives-India cargo ferry, the 7,665-dwt MCP Linz has arrived in Kulhudhuffushi City on its maiden voyage, reports the Male Edition.

The vessel is capable of carrying 380 TEU and 3,000 tonnes of general cargo. The turnaround time for the ferry service is 10 days.

The governments of Maldives and India signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish ferry and cargo services by sea on June 8, 2019, during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Maldives. The Indian Cabinet gave the green light to the service the following month.

Male and Kulhudhuffushi are situated 708 kilometres and 509 kilometres away from Kochi respectively. Kulhudhuffushi and the northern Haa Dhaalu Atoll are considered untapped tourist destinations.

A ceremony was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to welcome the cargo vessel MCP Linz at its first port of call in Maldives.

The function was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, High Commissioner of India to Maldives Sunjay Sudhir, and parliamentary representatives for Kulhudhuffushi North MP Yasir Abdul Latheef and Kulhudhuffushi South MP Jamsheed Mohamed.

Speaking at the event, Mr Shahid said that the commencement of the ferry service constituted a boost in sea-connectivity and would improve bilateral trade between Maldives and India, thereby revitalising the local economy, especially in the northern region of the country.