TCI-Seaways, the shipping arm of Transport Corporation of India Ltd, has acquired a second-hand ship to carry cargo from the eastern ports to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The nine-year-old ship, TCI Surya, made its maiden visit to the Chennai port on Saturday.

TCI-Seaways bought the ship built in the Netherlands for Rs 38 crore.

According to Mr R. Subramanian, Assistant Vice-President, TCI-Seaways, the 312-TEU (20-foot equivalent unit) capacity vessel has a 40-tonne crane on board to handle project cargo and has facilities for carrying 60 reefer containers.

The ship will carry cargo from Chennai, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It also has international licence and will sail to Yangoon and Chittagong, he said.