"A bi-weekly passenger-cum-ferry service between Cochin and Male (Maldives) will start soon. The ferry service is to be run by a private operator, but facilities on either port of call would be arranged by the concerned ports," an official statement said.
The proposal is awaiting clearance from the nodal ministries of both countries.
India's Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Transport and Communication of Male will initiate work on getting all necessary clearances to operationalise the service at an early date, it said.
Shipping Corporation of India, under the Ministry of Shipping, will provide technical assistance for operationalising the service