Passenger ferry service planned connecting Chennai, Mamallapuram and Puducherry

A passenger ferry service connecting Chennai, Mamallapuram and Puducherry is being planned to promote coastal tourism and provide an alternative mode of transport along the east coast. The Tamil Nadu Maritime Board (TNMB) has invited expressions of interest (EOI) from experienced ferry operators to operate the proposed service.

The initiative is proposed to be implemented in coordination with the Centre, the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry governments, and the relevant port and regulatory authorities, the EOI says.

The TNMB has invited interested passenger ferry operators, vessel owners, agencies and companies with the requisite experience and financial strength to assess the project and submit their interest in operating services along the Bay of Bengal coast.

The proposed service is envisaged as an integrated coastal tourism circuit linking the three destinations, which are currently connected predominantly by road. Besides leisure and tourism traffic, the ferry could also cater to general passenger movement.

Under the proposed arrangement, the operator will be responsible for vessel operations, manning, crewing, maintenance, obtaining statutory clearances and ensuring timely commencement of services.

However, the project faces infrastructure and operational challenges, particularly at Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage location. At present, there is no berthing infrastructure for ferry(s), and dedicated shore infrastructure may be developed in future, subject to statutory, environmental and heritage clearances.

The Puducherry Port has an existing 150 meters long Berth capable of accommodating passenger ferries requiring a draft of not more than 2 meters, allowing direct berthing for embarkation and disembarkation.

Chennai Port has an existing International Cruise Passenger Terminal at the West Berth of Dr. Ambedkar Dock, handling cruise and passenger vessels. The berth can accommodate vessels of up to 340 m length overall and 11 m draft (these are the terminal’s maximum limits, not minimum requirements for a ferry), the EOI said.

The operating conditions along the proposed route will also be a key consideration. The service will traverse open coastal waters of the Bay of Bengal, where sea conditions are influenced by both the south-west and north-east monsoons. The number of operational days in a year, seasonal sea conditions and vessel seaworthiness will determine the viability of the service.

The Maritime Board has asked prospective operators to assess the prevailing sea conditions and propose vessels suited to the route.

The actual demand will depend on ticket prices, journey time, service frequency, reliability and the passenger experience compared with road transport. Through the EOI, TNMB is also seeking operators’ assessment of realistic passenger demand, suitable service frequency and vessel capacity.