A passenger ship service between the UAE and Kerala, in southern India, could become a reality soon, providing Indian expats with a comfortable and cost-effective way of transportation. The service will be able to carry around 1,250 passengers and might let Indian expats reach Kerala in three days.
The baggage limit for the journey will be 200kg. According to reports, the passenger ship ticket rates will range between Dh442 (INR 10,000 approx) and Dh663 (INR 15,000 approx), depending on duration of the journey. Passengers will be served a range of different cuisine, and can also avail of several entertainment options.
The project is being spearheaded by Sharjah Indian Association in collaboration with a private company, Ananthapuri Shipping and Logistics Private Limited, with the support of the Kerala government and the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (Norka), a Kerala government department addressing the issues of non-resident Keralites.
In an interview with a Dubai-based newspaper, YA Rahim, the President of the Indian Association Sharjah, said, “The idea is to get the service up and running before school break in December. We want to make sure that Indian expats in the UAE can travel to their hometown without paying exorbitant airline charges."
A meeting is slated for next week between the central government and the state government of Kerala about the project. Once the project has been cleared, the ship would sail to two cities in Kerala: Kochi and Beypore. According to Rahim, a third location is in the works. "We intend to open a route to Vizhinjam as well," he said.
