The process of starting the Dubai ship service, which is eagerly awaited by expatriates, has entered the final stage. Many ship service companies have come forward expressing their interest in starting the service. However, two companies have made it to the final shortlist. The Kerala Maritime Board is taking the lead in the discussions related to this. Applications were invited from companies interested in providing the service last March. Kozhikode-based Jebel Ventures Private Limited and Chennai-based White Shipping are the shortlisted shipping companies. It is now expected that the final steps will be completed after the Maritime Board has held discussions with these companies and will submit the report to the government. With the completion of the final steps, the solution to the travel woes of the Malayali diaspora will be revealed.
Frequent increase in air travel fares creates a big problem for expatriates. It is in this situation that such a shipping service aimed at travel and cargo comes. The Maritime Board is in discussions with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Water Transport and the Shipping Corporation for this purpose. The purpose of this discussion is to resolve potential legal issues. The Maritime Board will submit the feasibility study report submitted by the two shortlisted shipping companies to the government. The report will be submitted by including the detailed information of the service in this report. The rest of the process will proceed after the approval of the state government. We also need to know what concessions are available to companies from the government. This agreement will come into force after this. The two companies have informed the Maritime Board that the service can be started within three months after signing the agreement. Earlier it was reported that the ship service will start from Beypur in Kozhikode to Dubai.
But this route has changed now. Ships that can accommodate up to 1200 passengers in a single service are being considered. The service to Dubai will start from Kochi. There are indications that the ticket price will be less than 10000 rupees for the journey to Dubai. A travel service is sure to be successful if the ticket price is within reach. The reason is that many expats suffer from travel hassles due to exorbitant airfares. Expatriates will also be attracted to sea travel as cargo will be allowed rather than brought by air. But it is thought that it will take three days to travel to Dubai by ship. It is expected that this ship service will help in the revival of the tourism sector. A lot of goods are sent from Kozhikode to the Gulf. It has been a long-standing complaint of traders that it does not have enough air service. This ship service will be the solution for this. Food items including Kozhikode halwa, agricultural products and shoes are being shipped to the Gulf in this way.
