To launch ferry services for passengers between its capital Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode through the marine highway, the Kerala Government is to buy four high-speed catamarans. It has sanctioned Rs 3 crore to form the Coastal Shipping Promotion Fund to extend financial aid to ferry operators.
The State Ports Department has been given sanction to buy the catamarans at a total cost of Rs 60 crore. The StateÂ’s Minister for Ports and Fisheries K Babu said the Rs 3 crore fund is part of the GovernmentÂ’s plan to encourage coastal shipping in Kerala. The State has also drawn up an incentive system to promote coastal shipping, he said.
Operators would get incentives, while shipper would get discounts in port charges, he said.
Coastal traffic potential through non major ports of Kerala is estimated to be 4.64 million during 2012-14 and seven million by 2019-20, the Minister said.
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