The Fate of Crew Change at Vizhinjam Port Depends on Kerala High Court Decision

The fate of resuming the crew change at the outer anchorage of Vizhinjam port now depends on the decision of the Kerala High Court, as the Vizhinjam Steamer Agents Association has sought an early direction for resuming the service. The association approached the court due to the delay in resuming the service, despite the port recently receiving the ISPS Code. The crew change was allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the permission was later withdrawn by the Centre, despite its benefits for the maritime sector at Vizhinjam. The court has raised questions about the refusal of crew change at the outer anchorage, especially after the port obtained the ISPS Code, and has scheduled a hearing for December 6.

The petitioner in the case, Jude Sajith Dcruz, emphasized the revenue generated and the boost to the local economy through the crew change during the pandemic. The Bureau of Immigration stopped the crew change at Vizhinjam in July 2022, but the port has now received the ISPS Code, allowing international shipping vessels to call at the port. The shortage of staff at BoI is one of the reasons for the withdrawal of the service.

The Vizhinjam Steamer Agents Association has approached the Kerala High Court seeking the resumption of crew change at the port’s outer anchorage. Despite the port obtaining the ISPS Code, the Centre had withdrawn the permission for crew change, leading to the association’s legal action. The court has raised questions about the refusal of crew change at the outer anchorage and has scheduled a hearing for December 6.

Source .