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The State government is taking all measures for ensuring maritime safety, according to K. Babu, Minister for Ports.
He said this while speaking at the 15th meeting of the Maritime State Development Council held in Bangalore.
SECURITY AUDIT
International Ship and Ports Facility Security Code audit has been carried out in all operational ports such as Vizhinjam, Kollam, Beypore and Azhikkal.
The code is a comprehensive set of measures to enhance security of ships and port facilities developed in response to perceived threats after 9/11 attacks in the US.
According to the Minister, the code will be implemented at Valiyathura, Kodungallur and Azhikkal ports during this year.
A vessel tracking system will be established at Beypore and Kollam during this financial year. This system helps monitor vessel position, course and speed.
SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM
All signal stations, including Manjeswaram, Azhikkal, Kozhikode, Kodungallur, Alappuzha, Kollam and Vizhinjam, are being provided with modern surveillance equipment.
Closed circuit television and solar power supply facilities are also being installed in ports. Construction of maritime institutes at Neendakara and Kodugalloor are progressing on schedule. These will take care of requirement of trained personnel in the maritime sector.
The Minister, however, added that the State needs liberal assistance from the Centre for the development of the coastal shipping project.
SPECIFIC DEMANDS
Among specific demands he listed were relaxation of duties and VAT on bunker oil supplied to coastal ships; full service tax exemption to coastal shipping sector; contribution to the Coastal Shipping Development Fund for supporting vessel construction.
Vessels used for coastal shipping must be treated as infrastructural facility like ports and waterways. Benefits available for infrastructure facilities should be extended to them.
The Minister sought a subsidy support of 40 per cent for building river-sea vessels and coastal vessels.
CABOTAGE LAW
Another demand was relaxation in Cabotage law for non-major ports till adequate tonnage and regular coastal services are available in the State or for three years.
Income tax exemption must be provided to with respect to wages of the crew working on board coastal ships in order to attract them to this sector.
A mechanism should be chalked out to provide ‘carbon credits’ on tonne-kilometer basis to industries opting for the coastal shipping mode.
The system of collecting operational expenses of Customs offices at Government-owned non-major ports like Kollam may be stopped as it is a huge financial burden to the State.
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