TheKeralaMaritime Board (KMB) is unable to start shipping service from the oldVizhinjamport despite receiving ISPS code from the mercantile marine department ascustomsdepartment is yet to issue Consent over it.
The board had taken all necessary measures to start the custodian ship service from the port and also arranged a private ship. However, customs had denied consent citing lack of International Ship andPort Facility Security Code(ISPS).
The officer further said there is no objection for the port to resume crew change at the port. Crew change is a good source of revenue, the officer said. Through crew change, the state received revenue of Rs 10 crore in two years. After all, crew change will also help boost domestic businesses, such as hotel, taxi and other allied sectors, the officer said.
A cargo ship service from Vizhinjam to Mali was there from the port from 2007 to 2017 and the board was operating it smoothly. It ran on profit for 10 years, but later the private firm withdrew from it citing internal issues.