The Tamil Nadu Maritime Board is all set to begin cargo services to Sri Lanka from Cuddalore and Nagapattinam ports. The ports, according to the Maritime Board, can handle up to 75,000 metric tons of cargo annually. The cargo services will initially connect the Cuddalore and Nagapattinam ports to Kankesanthurai in the northern part of Sri Lanka.
A statement from the Nagapattinam district administration says that Nagapattinam and Cuddalore are at present equipped with infrastructure to handle small sailing vessels.
“Clearances for customs, immigration and port health have been secured,” the statement said.
According to sources in the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board, the cargo services will begin in mid-January 2025, after the end of the North East monsoon. The sailing vessels with about 300-ton capacity will initially set out carrying vegetables, cement and other construction materials depending on the requirements from Sri Lanka.
Sources also said that plans are underway to expand the cargo services to Maldives and other Sri Lankan destinations including Jaffna and Colombo.
The cargo services will be an addition to the already existing ferry service from Nagapptinam to Kankesanthurai. The ferry service from India to Sri Lanka restarted in October 2023 after nearly 40 years. While the demand for the ferry service was initially low, it has picked up and has been running regularly to ferry passengers from the Indian coast to Sri Lanka.