Sri Lanka continues to await India’s confirmation on a vessel to resume the much-hyped passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai, which was halted a few days after its launch last October.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the date for recommencing operations depended on how promptly India responded.
“It is the Indian side that has to ensure the availability of a vessel and, thereby, the service between the two countries. We have given them that opportunity. Various user items are being considered, but there is no confirmation yet,” he said.
The service that was launched on 14 October last year was halted the following day.
Authorities initially cited rough weather conditions as the reason for discontinuation. However, subsequent reports revealed that India had invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from companies to operate the ferry service.
According to EOI documents seen by The Sunday Morning, the Technical and Offshore Service Division of the Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) in Mumbai had issued an EOI invitation (EOI Ref No. SCI/EOI FERRY/2023) on 3 October 2023 to solicit interest for deploying and operating a passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, India, and Kankesanthurai, Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
The notice specified that the deadline for submitting EOIs was 23 October 2023.
The question that has arisen is why the authorities rushed to launch the ferry service without finalising a suitable company for operations.
Despite more than two months having elapsed since the closure of the EOI submission period, there has been no official confirmation from the Indian authorities regarding the participation of any interested party.
In the EOI notice, SCI clarified that the issuance served solely to elicit EOIs from potential project stakeholders and did not bind or commit SCI to invite any or all parties to subsequent bidding processes. The primary goal is to identify vessel operators/agencies interested in deploying and operating the passenger ferry service, fostering a better understanding of business modalities and proposals.
Ferry service plans
India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), under the SCI, aims to enhance easy and hassle-free passage and promote people-to-people contact between Sri Lanka and India through this proposed ferry service.
The MoPSW and the Ministry of External Affairs have engaged in dialogues with various stakeholders and port authorities to develop necessary facilities for ferry operations and passenger reception at both ends.
Initially, the SCI plans to conduct trial operations using its own or chartered vessels, later collaborating with private ferry operators/vessel owners. Depending on the response and demand, there are plans to expand ferry services to other routes such as Ramanathapuram to Talaimannar and Tuticorin to Colombo.
Reputed vessel operators/owners with a successful track record of operating passenger crafts in the past three years, possessing valid ISO certifications for QMS, EMS, OSHAS, and a valid DOC to operate passenger vessels, are eligible to participate in this EOI.
The operator may own or lease the ferries/crafts, and the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board (TNMB) will provide infrastructure at Nagapattinam, while infrastructure at Kankesanthurai will be arranged by the Sri Lankan Government/Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). The private operator will be responsible for the full range of investment and operations, including manning, operation, and maintenance of the craft.
As per the EOI documents, operators must have a minimum of three years of experience in running, maintenance, and management of passenger vessels, possess a valid DOC for passenger vessels, and should not be on the banned or disqualified list of the Government of India or any government agencies/companies.
As learnt by The Sunday Morning, two companies had reportedly expressed their interest to Indian authorities. However, India is yet to confirm this to its Sri Lankan counterparts.
Challenges to service
According to Indian media reports, the ferry service is expected to resume this month. The high-speed vessel Cheriyapani is expected to undergo maintenance work at the Kochi Port in Kerala during this break.
However, the ferry service faced challenges early on, with the SCI reducing its frequency from the initially-planned daily service to three days a week after an initial viability assessment. The inaugural trip had 50 passengers travelling to Kankesanthurai in Jaffna, but subsequent patronage dwindled, even after reducing operations to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Issues such as the high ticket cost exceeding Rs. 7,600 per person for a one-way journey and inconvenient timings, starting from Nagapattinam at 7 a.m. and reaching Kankesanthurai by 11 a.m., played a role in the service’s limited popularity. Despite expectations that the ferry service would boost religious tourism, facilitating visits to pilgrim centres like Velankanni, Nagore, and Thirunallar, challenges surrounding immigration procedures and ticketing contributed to the underwhelming response.
Reportedly, the ferry service charges commence at $ 50 per passenger for a one-way trip, with a baggage allowance of 100 kg.
This attempt at a ferry service echoes a previous endeavour in 2011, which was discontinued after six months due to poor response. Although sea routes between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka have a historical tradition, modern trade and commerce dynamics in the 21st century pose challenges to the revival of traditional travel methods.
Service to resume post-monsoon?
Meanwhile, according to the Sri Lanka Navy, the ongoing monsoon weather condition is also unconducive to continuing operations.
“Naval and fisheries operations have been hampered due to bad weather conditions. We are now almost nearing the end of the monsoon period, but it is hard to predict weather due to unexpected reasons. As usual, the monsoon period will be over by the end of this month, and after that, the ferry service can be recommenced anytime,” Navy Spokesperson Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya told The Sunday Morning.
According to the Sri Lanka Navy, there is no security concern relating to recommencing or continuing the ferry service. When asked, Capt. Wickramasuriya confirmed that even though poaching was occurring in the area, it had no impact on ferry service activities.
In line with the launch of the service, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation in Sri Lanka built a passenger terminal in Kankesanthurai (KKS) Port with the support of the Sri Lanka Navy at an approximate cost of Rs. 144 million. It was also decided to establish two immigration and emigration offices, one each in KKS and Karaikal to facilitate the passengers.
Attempts made to contact the Indian High Commission were futile.