The Directorate of Shipping Services has announced a series of adjustments to inter-island vessel movements, alongside the opening of cargo bookings for an upcoming sailing to Car Nicobar, reflecting ongoing operational recalibration ahead of early December travel and transport demands across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands .
According to the updated advisory issued from Sri Vijaya Puram, the cargo vessel MV Chuglam is scheduled to sail for Car Nicobar on December 5 at 0800 hours from Junglighat Jetty. The vessel will return to Sri Vijaya Puram immediately after completing discharge and loading operations at the destination. Cargo bookings for this sailing commenced on November 29 and are being accepted between 0900 hours and 1200 hours at the Commercial Wing. Consigners have been specifically advised to book only the actual quantity intended for transhipment, as excess cargo will not be accommodated on the voyage, underscoring tighter load management norms for island supply chains.
Alongside cargo movement updates, several passenger vessel schedules have been revised due to administrative reasons, impacting connectivity to Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Campbell Bay, Nancowry and Katchal. The Directorate communicated that the departure of MV Kalighat from Little Andaman to Sri Vijaya Puram on December 1 has been deferred from the originally announced 0700 hours timing and will now take place at 2100 hours on the same day, marking a significant shift for passengers planning onward connections.
Further changes affect MV Nalanda, whose previously announced sailing to Little Andaman from Sri Vijaya Puram on December 2 at 0800 hours, along with its return journey the same evening, has been postponed. As per the revised itinerary, MV Nalanda will now depart for Little Andaman at 2100 hours on December 2 from Haddo Wharf and return to Sri Vijaya Puram at 2100 hours on December 3, extending the voyage duration by a full day and altering travel plans for passengers and essential service movements.
Longer-route sailings have also been rescheduled. The vessel MV Sindhu, originally slated to sail for Campbell Bay via Nancowry and Katchal on December 2, will now depart on December 4 at 0900 hours from Sri Vijaya Puram. Its return journey has similarly been deferred, with the vessel expected back on December 6 at 0600 hours from Campbell Bay via Katchal and Nancowry. These changes affect supply and passenger movement across some of the most remote island groups.
Additionally, the sailing of MV Kalighat to Car Nicobar via Little Andaman has been postponed. Instead of the earlier December 3 departure, the vessel will now sail from Haddo Wharf on December 4 at 0700 hours and return to Sri Vijaya Puram on December 5 at 1600 hours from Car Nicobar via Little Andaman.
The Directorate’s advisory comes at a time when inter-island shipping remains a critical lifeline for passengers, essential commodities, and administrative logistics. While no specific reasons beyond administrative grounds have been cited for the revisions, the clustering of changes highlights the operational challenges of managing island maritime transport, particularly during periods of heightened demand and weather-related uncertainties.
Passengers, traders, and consigners have been advised to take note of the revised schedules and plan their travel and cargo movements accordingly, as timely adaptation to these updates remains essential for ensuring continuity of services across the island chain.
