Thiruvananthapuram: The central government has granted permission to launch a cruise service connecting Kerala with Gulf countries. The approved ship will operate on the Beypur-Kochi-Dubai route.
Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the approval of the cruise ship service, revealing that the tender process has already been initiated for the ship. The minister shared this information in response to a question raised by Hibi Eden MP during a session in the Lok Sabha.
For non-residents travelling to Kerala, the cruise option offers a relief from the high costs associated with air travel. A cruise ticket typically costs only one-third of an airplane ticket and allows passengers to carry more luggage.
The Kerala Maritime Board and Norka Routes have been entrusted with kickstarting the tender process for the passenger ship service. Interested companies and those keen on operating the service are invited to participate in the tender.
A delegation led by Malabar Development Council President C.E. Chakkunni visited Dubai for this purpose. During their visit, the team engaged in discussions with shipping companies and expatriates to assess the potential for launching these services and enhancing connectivity between Kerala and the Gulf region.
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