(a) whether the Government are considering new schemes for the development of shipping sector in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to improve the Cargo off-take from Kerala ports; and
(d) the total quantity of products shipped from the State during the last three years and the names of the countries for which the shipments were meant?
MINISTER OF SURFACE TRANSPORT
(SHRI RAJNATH SINGH)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO PART (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 251 FOR ANSWER ON 13.03.2000 BY SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH REGARDING NEW PROJECTS FOR SHIPPING SECTOR.
(a) & (b): In order to give a continued impetus to the growth and development of shipping sector in the country, Government has undertaken various measures which include cargo support of canalizing the cargo of public undertakings and Government Departments/agencies through Transchart arrangement, development of coastal shipping, creating a conducive environment for speedier acquisition of vessels and upgradation and modernization of training facilities for the mariners.
(c) & (d): Cochin Port Trust is the only major Port Trust located in Kerala. For promoting the export trade from the State, frequent trade meets are conducted in different parts of the hinterland of Cochin Port. There is also a proposal for developing a transshipment container terminal at Vallarpadam. The general cargo from Cochin Port is exported through containers, which are transshipped mainly at Colombo, Singapore and Dubai Ports. The export cargo is assigned to countries namely U.S.A., Canada and other American countries, Japan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Gulf countries, U.K., Germany, other European countries,