KOZHIKODE: For the first time in the history of Beypore port, a cargo is set to sail to Maldives on Monday when Saleena-II barge will set off with 2,500 tonnes of granite stones carried by Sea Star Amba tug.
“This is part of a plan to enhance the business through Beypore port. We are contemplating to ferry construction items to Maldives thrice every month,” said Beypore port officer Captain K. Ashwin Prathap.
The opportunity came as a blessing in disguise for the port. The barge was stuck at the port due to sea fury a few months ago.
The Mumbai-based shipping company, which owns Saleena-II barge, has to pay a significant amount to the port as wharfage. Later, the port authorities contacted the shipping company and discussed transporting construction materials to the island nation.
The next time 3,000 granite stones should be transported to Maldives. Currently, a major chunk of the construction materials to the island nation is ferried through Thoothukudi port in Tamil Nadu.
Officials are trying to divert a tiny portion of that business to Beypore initially. Plans are also on the anvil to get some cargo contract to Gujarat which is currently operated through Kochi port.
