The government has received a favorable response for its effort to start shipping services to the Gulf and Middle Eastern countries.
The Kerala Maritime Board has invited expression of interest (EOI) from entities for operating cruise (passenger) ships and luxury ships. Four companies have already shown interest and registered. JM Baxi & Co, Sita (Travel Corporation India Ltd), Intersight Tours and Travels, and Gangway Shipping & Logistics are the four companies that have registered.
The Maritime Board will hold discussions with interested companies at 11 am on March 27, at the Marine Mercantile Club in Kochi. The Board Chairman N S Pilla said that the purpose of calling the meeting is to clarify how the government and the maritime board intend to proceed and to clarify their doubts.
Agents of foreign shipping companies will attend the meeting. Matters like ports and their depth, systems available, passenger availability, ship charges, ship sizes, customs, and emigration will be deliberated. After establishing clarity on these matters, companies can proceed to implement their projects and prepare the EOIs.
EOIs have been invited for ship services from Beypore, Vizhinjam, Kollam, and Azheekal ports to Gulf and Middle Eastern countries and back.
EOIs from interested companies should be submitted before April 22.