The Port Department of Kerala government denied there would be any disruption in ferry services as boats and other ships were in the process of renewing their annual licences.
Sources from the department informed that the boats and ships using the port waters may renew their licences annually and the process was on.
The response of the department comes in the wake of warning issued by Cochin Port Trust (CPT) that ferry services in Kochi, especially in port waters, could be disrupted as the majority of boats and ships, including the junkar between Fort Kochi and Vypeen, have not renewed their licences.
Director of ports Jacob Thomas, however, said there is no need to fear a disruption in water transport
services.
According to the Kerala Inland Vessel Rules 2010, which came into effect on April 30, 2010, ships must renew their licences periodically.
After the Thattekkad boat tragedy in February 2007, the rules for examination of the fitness of ships and their registration came into effect. Under the new rules vessels are likely to renew their licences annually.
Meanwhile, the incidents like the one involving INS Viraat pointed to the necessity for a system of issuing certificates of registry on an annual basis.
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