Ferry service attracts 3 parties

Three local companies have expressed interest for the resumption of the ferry service between the southern Indian port of Tuticorin and Colombo, an official said. The Ceylon Shipping Corporation (CSC) have begun discussions with the three parties that responded to the EOI (Expressions of Interest), CSC General Manager Sunil Obadage told the Business Times. The three interested parties are backed with foreign collaboration, he said. The submissions were received last week following the CSC calling for EOI for the recommencement of the ferry service. Mr. Obadage said the existing demand for the vessel was at around 250 passengers aboard the vessel on one trip. The vessel would ply between the two destinations twice a week. The previous vessel's capacity was at 1000 but the demand had been below the required number of passengers that could be accommodated onboard. In this respect, authorities would encourage parties to use a vessel for a 500 passenger capacity and cargo. This would be looked at in order to cater for the current demand of around 250 passengers during one trip operating twice a week, he said. Following the EOI, the names of the three parties were submitted to the CSC board for the approval to proceed with the discussions. Mr. Obadage pointed out that once the selection is carried out they would ascertain as to what business mod- el would be deployed to conduct the ferry service operations. Afterwards, the CSC would then have to submit it to the board of directors followed by the line Ministry of Ports and Aviation, he said. The Tuticorin - Colombo ferry service was abruptly suspended in November 2011, which was previously handled by Flemingo, an Indian company.