Kochi: The Kerala Maritime Board has hastened the procedures for flagging off the much-awaited Kerala – Gulf ship service project. The Board authorities held meetings with various agencies including three companies that have expressed interest in the various aspects of the shipping service. April 22 is the last date for submitting the Expression of Interest (EOI). Meanwhile, the Board hopes that the companies that had attended the meeting would submit EOI.

Chairman NS Pillai said that the Kerala government and the Maritime Board envisage a shipping service that allows passengers from various GCC countries to reach Kerala in 3 – 4 days. “The airfares may go up to Rs 70,000 – 80,000 during the peak seasons. We envisage a shipping service that allows the Gulf-based expatriates to reach their homeland for Rs 25,000, even during the season. Besides, they should be able to carry up to 75 kg of baggage. Shipping companies that are interested in operating the service can reach out to the Maritime Board at any time,” the Chairman said.

Cruise ship or passenger service?
The representatives of the shipping companies that attended the meeting were curious whether the proposed service was a cruise ship or a passenger ship. The Maritime Board explained that they intended to start a passenger ship service that would benefit the commoners among Gulf-based expatriates. Besides, there were queries about the subsidies and other concessions. The Board replied that the companies could include such suggestions while submitting the EOI and promised that the government would consider allowing certain subsidies.

The Maritime Board explained the scope of the passenger ship service that connects the Bepore port with the GCC countries, which will be beneficial for the expatriates in the Malabar region. Even though huge ships cannot anchor at the Bepore port, they could drop the anchor at the high seas and use feeder boats to transport the passengers. Bepore would be considered primarily for the project while the shipping companies could consider the possibilities of ports like Kochi that could accommodate bigger ships. Meanwhile, the Cochin Port Authority offered to allow concessions in the port charges for a year.

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