Kozhikode: The Kerala government is exploring opportunities to operate ship services to the Gulf. 

The Kerala Maritime Board has invited letters of interests from various companies for the purpose. The plan is to operate passenger/luxury ships from Beypore, Vizhinjam, Kollam and Azheekal ports. 

A total of three days will be required for the journey. The Malabar Development Council had begun attempts to establish ship service to the Gulf years ago starting from 2009. 

The officials believe that the exorbitant flight charges and limitations in ferrying goods via air travel will make people opt for ship journeys in the future.

NS PillaI, Chairman of Maritime Board, informed that basic facilities will be provided to the interested companies upon receiving the government approval. The rest will be decided on the basis of the kind of ship services the companies are intending to provide. April 22 is set as the deadline for receiving the applications.

The Union and the State government had given the nod to begin the proposed ship services well in advance. 

The Beypore port received the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (IASPS) certification in 2023. With this the port rose to international standards. Ships can anchor at the Beypore port and receive emigration clearance as well.  

The officials of the Malabar Development Council submitted a report to the state government regarding the project after visiting representatives of prominent ship companies and other experts in Dubai. CE Chakkunni, President of Malabar Development Council opined that the high charges levied by the air companies will indirectly attract passengers towards ship voyages.

“Family passengers are likely to opt for the ‘ship route’. Almost 12,000 individuals have already come forward expressing interest in travelling by sea,” added Chakkunni.