The first passenger ship to operate between the Gulf and South India is scheduled to make its maiden call to the UAE on Wednesday. Approximately 200 passengers are expected to board the Al Salam Taba in Dubai. From here it will sail to Kochi via Mumbai, a four-day journey.

The ship, which has a capacity of 1,500 passengers and 600 tonnes of cargo, will leave Doha and stop at Bahrain before coming to Dubai. Yesterday, Al Ghaith Al Moosa Travel Agency, popularly known as ALTA, was appointed general sales agent in the UAE for the vessel by its operators, Bahrain-based Tylos Ferry.

An agreement was signed yesterday by ALTA Managing Director Abdullah Mohammed Al Moosa and Tylos Ferry Chairman Salman Samad. ALTA General Manager M.P. Abdul Karim said the service has generated a lot of interest, especially among people from the sub-continent because of its prices and huge baggage allowance.

"A major attraction is the 100-200 kilo baggage allowance per passenger depending on their ticket type," he said. "The ship offers four classes of service. "It will cost Dh950 per person in Super Class cabins which have facilities similar to hotel rooms with attached bathrooms.

"Standard Class cabins are priced at Dh750 per person with facilities similar to Super Class cabins, although passengers have to share bathroom facilities. "The standard Pullman seat costs Dh600 per person and has comfort cushioned seating that is ideal for passengers travelling on short sectors like Doha or Bahrain, while Standard Deck Seat class will cost Dh400 with only seating arrangements.

"There are reduced fares for children with six to 12-year-olds charged at 67 per cent of the adult ticket. Children ages two to six will be charged 50 per cent and infants will be charged 10 per cent of the adult ticket.

"On the return voyage from Kochi, the ship will sail via Mumbai, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha and Umm Qasr in Iraq," he said. Karim said plans are in the pipeline to operate two or three more passenger ships on the route. "We are expecting to get an even bigger ship in October," he said. For enquiries contact Dubai, 04 2945666 and Fujairah, 09 2221888.