THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government will soon launch super fast ship service connecting the important ports in the state. The services on the anvil are: Kovalam-Kanyakumar, Kochi-Thiruvananthapuram, and Kochi-Kozhikode. Wharfs and passenger terminals have already been constructed in Beypore and Vizhinjam ports. The project is mainly to service tourists. This was announced in the Assembly on Monday by minister for ports Ramachandran Kadannappally. The necessary infrastructure will be created in Beypore, Vizhinjam, Kollam and Kochi ports. “The super fast ship service can be operationalised with the existing facilities,” the minister said.
The basic infrastructure requirement for the super fast water transport includes a wharf and passenger terminal for passengers to embark and disembark. "Such facilities are available in Beypore and Vizhinjam," the minsiter said. In fact, big cruise liners call on Vizhinjam port annually though they are anchored few meters off-shore. The construction of a passenger terminal is presently on at Kollam. Mr Kadannappally also said that the government had decided to construct floating jetties in Kozhikode, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.
A floating jetty is a platform or ramp supported by pontoons or floating devices. It is usually joined to the shore with a gangway. The minister said that the testing of foreign-made hydrofoils that would ply along Kochi and Kozhikode was in its last leg. Last March, the then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had announced that the Kochi-Kozhikode service would begin before Onam. Official sources said 130-seater air-conditioned double-engine ships would be used for the services that would, however, be restricted to daytime. To-and-fro daily services will be offered, and the cruise will take on an average four-and-a-half hours. The ship will have all modern facilities, including pantry, and entertainment facilities. It can cruise at a speed of 30 to 40 knots (one nautical mile is 1.852 km). Tourists will find the ferry service more convenient as a trip by road will take at least six hours.
