Sri Vijaya Puram, June 6: In response to increased passenger demand during the ongoing school vacation period, the Directorate of Shipping Services (DSS) has announced an additional weekly passenger vessel service connecting Sri Vijaya Puram, Shaheed Dweep and Rangat.
The move is expected to provide relief to travellers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year and improve connectivity between South Andaman and the northern parts of the archipelago.
According to the Directorate of Shipping Services, the additional sailing will commence on June 8 and operate every Monday throughout June 2026.
The service will be operated by the vessel MV Strait Island and will supplement the two existing weekly sailings already available on the route.
Officials said the decision was taken in view of public demand and the increased movement of passengers during school holidays, when inter-island travel typically witnesses a significant rise.
The additional service is expected to benefit students, families, tourists and residents travelling between the southern and northern island groups.
Under the announced schedule, MV Strait Island will depart from Sri Vijaya Puram at 7 a.m. on June 8 and sail to Rangat via Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep, Strait Island, Kadamtala and Long Island.
The vessel will return from Rangat on June 9 at 7 a.m., following the same route back to Sri Vijaya Puram.
Officials stated that the additional sailing has been planned to improve accessibility and reduce travel difficulties experienced during periods of peak passenger demand.
Inter-island shipping remains the primary mode of transportation for many residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, particularly those living in remote locations where air connectivity is limited or unavailable.
As a result, passenger vessel schedules play a crucial role in supporting mobility, access to essential services, trade and tourism across the archipelago.
The Directorate noted that demand for ferry services typically rises during school vacations, festival periods and tourism seasons, often requiring temporary enhancements to sailing schedules.
Authorities expressed hope that the additional sailing would ease pressure on existing services while offering greater flexibility to travellers planning journeys between the islands.
The route covered by MV Strait Island connects several important island settlements and serves as a key transport link for both passengers and cargo movement.
The vessel’s itinerary through Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep, Strait Island, Kadamtala and Long Island provides connectivity to multiple communities before reaching Rangat in North and Middle Andaman district.
Shipping officials said passenger tickets for the additional sailing would be made available to the general public from June 6.
Travellers can purchase tickets online through the Directorate’s e-ticketing portal, which allows advance reservations and digital booking facilities.
The DSS has also made a QR code available to facilitate direct access to the online booking platform.
For passengers who prefer offline booking options, tickets will also be available through STARS ticketing counters.
The Directorate has encouraged passengers to complete bookings early due to the expected demand during the vacation period.
Over the years, the Shipping Department has increasingly relied on digital platforms to streamline ticket reservations and improve passenger convenience.
Online booking systems have reduced the need for physical visits to ticket counters while enabling passengers to access sailing schedules and availability information more efficiently.
The announcement of the additional service comes amid continuing efforts by the Administration to strengthen inter-island transportation infrastructure and improve connectivity across the geographically dispersed island chain.
Reliable shipping services remain vital for ensuring social and economic integration among the islands and supporting sectors such as tourism, education, healthcare and commerce.
Residents of several islands depend heavily on scheduled vessel services for access to administrative centres, educational institutions and medical facilities located in larger population hubs.
Officials said the additional June sailings would be reviewed based on passenger response and operational requirements.
For now, the enhanced schedule is expected to provide much-needed capacity during the vacation season and support smoother passenger movement between Sri Vijaya Puram, Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep and Rangat.
The Directorate has advised passengers to check sailing schedules and booking details in advance before planning their journeys.
