Sri Lankan shipping service revises ticket fares, start new services: Details, new routes

The Nagapattinam – North Sri Lanka ferry service on the high-speed craft ‘Cheriyapani,’ launched in 2023, has faced challenges like erratic monsoons, turbulent sea and more, resulting in its disruptions many times. It was relaunched for the fifth time in February this year. Now, the service is trying to lure passengers by introducing attractive tour packages and reducing ticket fares. Meanwhile, a new ship service will also likely be launched next week. Another service will be flagged off from Rameshwaram in July, too.

Revised fares
The ticket fares in the ships operated by Shubam Group from Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu to Kangesanthura in Sri Lanka have reportedly dropped. Now, the ticket to Sri Lanka and back has decreased to Rs 8000 from Rs 8500. Last year, it was Rs 9,700. The passengers can carry up to 22 kilos of luggage, free of cost. Meanwhile, the discounts and concessions are valid only for the summer season.

The Shubam Group has also launched new packages to Jaffna, Thalaimannar, Mullaitivu, Anuradhapuram, and Trincomali. These tickets start from Rs 15,000 onwards. Due to high demand, the group is also considering launching one more ship on the same route from next month onwards. The operators hope that this service, which can accommodate up to 250 passengers, will be approved soon.

Continued disruptions
After years, the ship service to Sri Lanka was inaugurated on October 14, 2023. However, the service stalled within a few days and was only resumed on August 16, last year. Initially, the company operated only three services in a week as there weren’t too many passengers. Later, it was increased to five times a week. Now, there are six-day shipping services to Sri Lanka.

The Tamil Nadu Maritime Board plans to start a ship service from Rameshwaram to Thalaimannar. They have approached the foreign ministry to secure customs and immigration facilities. The service from Nagapattinam to Kangesanthura takes four hours to cover 111 kilometres. However, Rameshwaram and Thalaimannar is just 27 kilometres apart and would take only less than an hour to cover this distance. Experts at the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras have prepared a detailed project about this service.