Sri Vijaya Puram | March 20, 2026
In a significant development likely to impact both island residents and tourists, major private ferry operators in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have announced a uniform hike of ₹300 per passenger across all sectors, citing a sharp rise in marine fuel prices.
The decision comes in the wake of escalating global fuel costs, with operators including Nautika, Makruzz, and Green Ocean Seaways issuing separate notices confirming the surcharge.
According to information shared by Nautika in public domain, the price of Low Sulphur High Flash (LSHF) fuel—a specialized diesel fuel used in vessels—has witnessed an unprecedented increase of nearly 50 percent.
As a result, Nautika has introduced a ₹300 fuel surcharge per passenger, applicable on all tickets booked from midnight of March 22, 2026.
Similarly, Makruzz has announced a temporary surcharge of ₹300 per passenger per sector, effective March 23, 2026, stating that the move is necessary to maintain operational standards, including safety and service reliability.
Green Ocean Seaways has also confirmed a ₹300 fare increase across all sectors, effective March 23, 2026, urging booking partners to update fares and inform passengers accordingly.
The private ferry operators play a crucial role in connecting Sri Vijaya Puram, Swaraj Dweep, and Shaheed Dweep—routes that are heavily relied upon by tourists, islanders and local businesses.
With the hike being implemented uniformly, passengers travelling between these key islands will now have to bear increased travel costs during the peak tourist season.
Sources attribute the steep rise in marine fuel prices to ongoing conflict in West Asia, which have disrupted crude oil supply chains, particularly from Gulf countries. The resulting volatility in global energy markets has had a cascading effect on shipping fuel costs, directly impacting ferry operations in the islands.
With no immediate relief in global fuel prices in sight, further adjustments in fares cannot be ruled out if the situation persists.
