Kerala Minister for Ports K Babu highlighted the efforts being taken by the state government to promote inland water transport and coastal shipping.
In order to ferry cargo from ports to the hinterland through inland waterways, the Kerala State Maritime Development Corporation had signed an agreement to charter a ship.
In the first phase, the transport of cargo would be taken up in the Kollam-Kochi section and the state government would shift 20 per cent of the cargo now being moved by road to waterways, Babu said.
The government would provide a subsidy of Rs 1 on every tonne of cargo moved through every 1 km of waterway.
The state government is taking steps to move the cargo of public sector undertakings from Kollam through this route. The state government expects a saving of Rs 5,000 per container by shifting the mode of transport from road to waterways.
Incentives would be given to build ships. Rebates would be allowed on port dues, he said. buildings and rebate on port dues.
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