Kerala’s attempt to launch a passenger ship service to the Gulf countries from the State has run into rough weather, as the company that evinced interest in the project has sought time to acquire vessels suited for the service for over a year. The State had been trying to start passenger cruise ship services to the UAE to transport large numbers of overseas travellers, especially during the festive season, to minimise the impact of the predatory pricing of the airlines operating in the sector.
As per the bid floated by the Kerala Maritime Board (KMB), the nodal agency of the project on March 7, 2024 two companies had evinced interest in the project — for ‘operation of passenger ships/cruises/vessels connecting West Asia/ GCC with Kerala’ utilising the port infrastructure in Kerala. Subsequently, a meeting was also held on August 6, 2024, between KMB and the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) with the presence of two prospective bidders to discuss the technical aspects of the project.
However, the interested bidders are yet to acquire suitable vessels for the service, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Speaking to The Hindu, N.S. Pillai, chairman of the KMB, said the talks with a company named White Shipping based in Chennai were hopeful, and the shipping company has sought time to acquire a ship for the project. However, the company has not yet communicated to the KMB on the status of their search for ships, said Mr. Pillai.
The KMB’s role will be to provide berthing and passenger terminal facilities, along with the infrastructure essential for operations – upon payment of necessary charges. The operator should provide the cruise/passenger ship service, viz., all aspects of acquisition of vessels or leasing, operations including staffing, safety, vessel maintenance, logistics and marketing, etc.
Hopeful of comeback
Though the project has been delayed, the KMB is hopeful that it could be brought back on track, taking account of the huge diaspora from the State, especially in the UAE, which alone is has around 19 lakh Keralites. The cruise ship services will blend affordable travel along with a luxury cruise experience accompanied by entertainment facilities onboard the ship — in a bid to woo blue-collar workers and premium cruise travellers.
The State government had earlier taken the initiative to press in charter flights to bring expats back to Kerala during the festive season and sought permission from the Centre to operate chartered flights between the UAE and India, adhering to the stipulated CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) of 30 days under ITP (International Travel Permits) provisions. However, after a few rounds of discussions with airlines operating in the sector, the project hit an air pocket.
Published – May 09, 2025 07:30 pm IST
