KOZHIKODE: The state government has given green signal to the first container ship in Beypore, even though it could cause a financial burden.
The delay of the arrival of the vessel has been cited due to the small size with the capacity to carry 50 containers at a time.
“A small container ship laden with 50 containers of tiles from Kandla port in Gujarat will reach the port on month end,” Beypore Port officer Ashwin Prathap said.
“Since we cannot bring all the loads at a stretch, we will have to face the hurdle of enormous economic loss. But the state government will meet the initial financial expenses. In just two days, we are going to the final set of meeting with the tourism director who is also the director of the trade and commerce in coastal sector. In the same year itself we will also make arrangements for the transportation of other materials like fertilizers, chemicals and other goods to Beypore port. Hence, Beypore and Azhikkal port after clearing all hurdles can help boost trade through water transportation.”
Beypore port is one of the oldest ports in Kerala from where trading was done to the Middle East through sailing vessels.
It is also famous for building wooden ships, called dhows, usually bought by Arab merchants for trading, fishing and now used as tourist ships.
The port officer said that elaborate arrangements were planned to receive the container vessel.
