Kerala: Gulf Ship Service continues to be in troubled waters
KOZHIKODE : Gulf Ship Service, a long pending proposal of Kerala, continues to remain in troubled waters. While one of the two private companies, that had shown interest, already backed out, the other firm is said to be waiting for a suitable ship.
Industry sources said that concerns over viability could be the reason for the bleak response towards the project.
The Kerala Maritime Board had invited expression of interest for operating passenger, cruise and vessel ship services between Gulf countries and Kerala last year. The board held discussions with Chennai-based White shipping lines and Kozhikode-based Jabal ventures in August last year.
The board Chairman N S Pillai told DH that the Chennai-based firm had shown interest but had sought time to find a suitable ship to operate the service, whereas the other firm did not show interest later.
“It would take at least three and a half days to travel by sea from Gulf countries to Kerala. Hence adequate amenities should be also ensured in the ship. That could be the reason why the Chennai based firm sought time to acquire a ship suitable for the service,” Pillai said and added that some sort of viability gap funding would have to be offered to attract investors.
He said that the proposed ship service would be an affordable option during the peak seasons when the air fare in Kerala – Gulf sector shoots up to Rs. 65,000 – Rs. 75,000 range. The fares in the proposed shipping service could be roughly in the Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 30,000 range, he said.
Meanwhile, industry sources said that the three and a half days travel time would be a key disadvantage as NRIs often come down for a limited period of leave. Otherwise the rates should be that low and more sops like permitting large quantities of free cargo and making the service tourist attraction are the options to make it more attractive.
Earlier also some private investors had mooted Kerala – Gulf ship service to cater to the lakhs of Malayalis involved in blue collar jobs in Gulf countries. But the introduction of budget airlines offered cheaper travel options and hence those proposals were shelved.
Source : DH