Coastal shipping remains a bumpy ride

Round the Coast Pvt Ltd has been operating coastal shipping service in Kerala transporting containers from Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) to minor ports like Beypore, Azheekkal and Kollam. The vessel Chowgule 8 has been operational in the service. However, the service operator has revealed issues such as lack of infrastructure, cargo support from exporters and delay in receiving incentives from the government. The ships have to wait for the tide and there is no night traffic. The state government is currently offering an incentive of Rs.26,000 per container as return cargo is not available, which is causing a huge loss to the shipping company. The government is increasing draft at the minor ports to make them useful for coastal operations. The draft at Azheekkal port has to be increased, while the draft at Kollam and Beypore ports has to be increased to 10m. Environmental clearance has been obtained for the ports. DPR has been prepared for the ports and the plan is to get the work completed under Sagarmala project. The Vizhinjam port will be commissioned by May 2023.