Travel from Middle East to Kerala at Rs 10,000, click to know more

DUBAI: The state government has started the initial steps to operate passenger ship services from the major ports of Kerala to the Middle East. On Wednesday, the Maritime Board under the state government invited applications from those interested in running passenger ship services to the Middle East from Vizhinjam, Beypore, Kollam and Azheekal ports. The notification says that applications should be submitted online and offline before 3 pm on April 22. Applications are to be made for three categories of ships namely large, medium size and small.

Application form can be downloaded from the official website www.kmb.kerala.gov.in. For further information in this regard, contact the Chief Executive Officer, Kerala Maritime Board, T., 11/1666 (4&5), 1st Floor, Mulamoottil Building, Pipinmoodu, Sasthamangalam, Thiruvananthapuram A-695010 or Phone No. 9544410029 or email at kmb.kerala@gmail.com.

The package initially included a ticket for Rs 10,000, 200 kg of luggage, food, entertainment, and a three-day trip. Initially, the project aimed to conduct a test service and if successful, to conduct two trips a month. If the ship service becomes a reality, it will be useful for expatriates in the Middle East.

Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had informed the Lok Sabha a few months ago that he had decided to invite tenders for ship services. This was decided in a meeting held with Shipping Corporation of India, NORKA Roots and Kerala Maritime Board last November. Following this, the Maritime Board and NORCA were tasked to publish the tender.

Years ago, a ship service was started from UAE to Kerala, but that didn't last long.