THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister Ahmed Devarkovil said that if necessary, Rs 71 lakh would be provided from the Maritime Board's general fund for the JM Baxi Group, which runs the coastal shipping service. He also said that the coastal shipping service was suspended due to repair works on the ship. He was responding to Kerala Kaumudi's report that 'Coastal Shipping Service is approaching death in its ninth month'.

"The company has decided to replace the existing CH8 ship with a more capable CH7 ship for service. The second ship will be launched in the last week of April. Dredging will be done at Beypore and Azheekal ports to maintain depth," the minister said. He also said a more efficient Maritime Board would be set up.