This standalone ship service was launched as part of the Union government’s ‘Look East’ policy
The service, plying on the Colombo-Chennai-Krishnapatnam-Yangon route, will call on Chennai port every fortnight. (Photo: DC/File)
Chennai: The state-run Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) on Friday launched a cargo ferry service, connecting Chennai port with Yangon in Myanmar, formerly Burma. Flagged off by Union shipping secretary Vishwapati Trivedi, SCI Kamal has a capacity of 1,200 TEU (20 feet equivalent unit). The service, plying on the Colombo-Chennai-Krishnapatnam-Yangon route, will call on Chennai port every fortnight.
“This is the first venture of SCI’s to Myanmar. This standalone ship service was launched as part of the Union government’s ‘Look East’ policy and to re-ignite our historical trade ties with Myanmar,” said an SCI official. He added that there was a huge economic potential in that country.
Last month, Union minister for road transport, highways and shipping Nitin Gadkari, while addressing a press conference to mark 100 days of the NDA government, said the service would soon be launched to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
Before the military junta took over, a large Tamil contingent was based in Myanmar with a chunk of them engaged in trading and agriculture. Perhaps, the most important commodity involved the import of Burma teak wood.
( Source : dc correspondent )
Next Story
