The state-run ports ministry in Kerala held a meeting with a UAE-based company to discuss the launch of a passenger service between Kerala and the GCC countries. However, no service provider showed interest in running the service, and the department is unsure if the Beypore-Dubai flight can commence in January as planned. Plans to find a suitable service provider and launch a tender are currently in progress.
The Union shipping ministry approved the proposal for the passenger service, and the state government is working with various organizations to expedite the process of finding a service provider. The chartered vessel service is expected to reduce travel costs for the Malayali diaspora in the Gulf and facilitate cargo services between southern India and the GCC countries. Despite these plans, concerns have been raised about the viability of the service, including the cost of tickets, the time it takes to travel by ship compared to flights, and the infrastructure limitations of the Beypore port.
There are concerns about the financial viability of the service, as well as logistical challenges related to the capabilities of the Beypore port, such as its depth and the need for further development. Critics have also questioned the demand for the service, noting that expats typically have limited vacation time and may prefer the convenience of air travel. These concerns have cast doubt on the feasibility of the proposed passenger service between Kerala and the GCC countries.
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