Customs yet to issue consent to start shipping

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Maritime Board (KMB) is unable to start shipping service from the old Vizhinjam port despite receiving ISPS code from the mercantile marine department as customs department 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 and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS). Despite receiving the code now, the customs has not issued consent yet. It was learned that the board has to construct a weighbridge and install a generator at the port to fulfil the criteria of the customs in getting the consent.“A generator of 20 kilowatt capacity and a weighbridge to assess the weight of huge containers are also required at the port to start shipping,” said an officer of the maritime board.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. The board later managed to get a ship from Anand Freight Overseas Service Limited and also entered into a pact with them. However, due to the opposition of the customs, the board could not start the service. The project is very significant as a business of over one million dollars is expected to take place every month and thus in turn a good source of revenue for the central and state government.