Indian shipping company calls for bids to start ferry service with Sri Lanka

India's state-owned Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) has called for bids to start the ferry service between India and Sri Lanka from January next year.

The ferry service to Colombo from Tuticorin Port in India is expected to begin in two months.

"Shipping Corp has issued Expression of Interest (EOI) for bids for the ferry service between Tuticorin (India) and Colombo (Sri Lanka)," Press Trust of India report said quoting the sources in the shipping ministry.

Earlier this month, the India's Union Cabinet approved a proposal for a passenger ferry service between the two countries to revive old links and promote tourism following the restoration of peace in Sri Lanka after the end of the war in May 2009.

India's Ministry of Shipping has directed the Tuticorin Port Trust to build the infrastructure necessary to begin the ferry service.

A passenger ferry that can accommodate 500 passengers is expected to be used for the 12-hour journey between Colombo and Tuticorin. The ferry service is likely to be used for cargo as well.

The SCI expects many shipping companies to step forward to their call for bids.

India also plans to revive the ferry links between Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka's northwest coast to Rameswaram in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Initially, the ferry service between Tuticorin and Colombo will be started and the Thalaimannar to Rameswaram service will be added six months after the Tuticorin-Colombo route. The old pier at Thalaimannar will be rebuilt with the Indian assistance.

A team of officials of the Shipping Ministry is likely to visit the island nation this month, sources told PTI.