DGS relaxes weather rules for MSVs, enabling uninterrupted trade between Thoothukudi and Sri Lanka year-round.
In a landmark move to boost regional maritime commerce, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has relaxed foul weather sailing restrictions for Mechanised Sailing Vessels (MSVs), commonly known as thonies, operating between Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. The change allows year-round trade, a significant departure from the earlier seasonal window between September and April enforced by the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD).
The relaxation is expected to inject new momentum into the once-thriving cross-border trade, especially benefiting the VOC Port’s Zone B—also known as the Thoothukudi old harbour—which accommodates around 25 MSVs, each capable of carrying between 250 to 400 tonnes of cargo.
These vessels currently serve the Maldives and several Indian territories including the Lakshadweep islands, transporting over 500 varieties of goods such as onion, garlic, tamarind, turmeric, salt, potatoes, and both conventional and herbal medicines.
The updated norms are seen as a strategic enabler for uninterrupted logistics between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, supporting local exporters and strengthening maritime ties in the Indian Ocean region.
Source: Exim News
