Now Reading: Kerala must build maritime ecosystem beyond ports, says ex-chief secy
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Kerala must build maritime ecosystem beyond ports, says ex-chief secy
Former chief secretary Paul Antony argues Kerala's port strategy must shift from building cargo terminals to creating a maritime services hub modelled on Singapore. He cites bunkering, ship repair and crew changes…
The Story in Brief
Former chief secretary Paul Antony argues Kerala's port strategy must shift from building cargo terminals to creating a maritime services hub modelled on Singapore. He cites bunkering, ship repair and crew changes as high-value activities. The state invested Rs 6,000 crore in Vizhinjam but cannot fund further projects alone. Antony notes Gujarat earns Rs 1,700 crore annually from port concessions without using state funds. He also urges developing National Waterway-3 for freight and tourism, and points out that India's 5% GST on bunkering forces oil firms to sell fuel in bulk to Singapore, losing retail business.
The Indian Opinion
Talk of a 'port-led' vision for Kerala can sound like boosterism when basics like GST on bunkering and single-window clearances remain unresolved. The real test is not another master plan but whether the state can fix the regulatory friction that drives ship servicing to Colombo and Singapore. Watch for the next budget: will Kerala cut the tax on bunker fuel, or will the rhetoric remain cheaper than the reform?
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
