With a keen strategic insight, Kerala seems to have evolved a comprehensive plan to ensure development and progress in the maritime sector. And all the plans appear very practical. With an aim of effectively diverting much of cargo from the congested roadways to waterways where there is a rich scope of development, Kerala has several projects. Mr. Jacob Thomas, Director, Ports, said hitting the nail on its head that “Transshipment is not based on local cargo. Cargo can come from other countries and also from other states. For example, we are developing a large port at Ponnani and cargo to this port is expected to come mainly from Tirupur-Coimbatore belt”. Moreover, shipping construction materials, food grains, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and vehicles which have been identified by the government as the coastal cargo, are, as of now, transported by road or rail. Mr. Thomas said: “We want to bring them by ships”. Another plan is to develop two dedicated terminals to handle cement at Kollam and Azhikal. Business prospects look bright with two cement companies having already approached them. Apart from cement, granite, tiles and other construction materials also can be transported by sea from Gujarat and other parts of the country. In addition, both Kollam and Azhikal ports have been chosen for setting up LPG terminals. Kollam is also being developed as the cashew hub. Underscoring the objective of all the plans Mr. Thomas said: “We are developing seven ports, Vizhinjam, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kodungalloor, Ponnani, Beypore and Azhikal. Our target is to divert at least 20% of the cargo currently moved by road to coastal shipping by 2015 and 40% by 2020”.
Friday, 19 October 2012
Kerala to form a Maritime Board to assess and ensure development in the sector
With a keen strategic insight, Kerala seems to have evolved a comprehensive plan to ensure development and progress in the maritime sector. And all the plans appear very practical. With an aim of effectively diverting much of cargo from the congested roadways to waterways where there is a rich scope of development, Kerala has several projects. Mr. Jacob Thomas, Director, Ports, said hitting the nail on its head that “Transshipment is not based on local cargo. Cargo can come from other countries and also from other states. For example, we are developing a large port at Ponnani and cargo to this port is expected to come mainly from Tirupur-Coimbatore belt”. Moreover, shipping construction materials, food grains, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and vehicles which have been identified by the government as the coastal cargo, are, as of now, transported by road or rail. Mr. Thomas said: “We want to bring them by ships”. Another plan is to develop two dedicated terminals to handle cement at Kollam and Azhikal. Business prospects look bright with two cement companies having already approached them. Apart from cement, granite, tiles and other construction materials also can be transported by sea from Gujarat and other parts of the country. In addition, both Kollam and Azhikal ports have been chosen for setting up LPG terminals. Kollam is also being developed as the cashew hub. Underscoring the objective of all the plans Mr. Thomas said: “We are developing seven ports, Vizhinjam, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kodungalloor, Ponnani, Beypore and Azhikal. Our target is to divert at least 20% of the cargo currently moved by road to coastal shipping by 2015 and 40% by 2020”.
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