The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has recently inaugurated the maiden voyage under the Green Freight Corridor-2, a coastal shipping service, from Cochin port to Beypore and Azhikkal ports located in northern Kerala.
With this development, the ministry aims to improve the connectivity and synergies between the major and non-major ports. This move is also aimed at creating intermodal and sustainable customer solutions, improving the use of waterways, cutting road and rail traffic and logistical expenditures.
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the first voyage under the Green Freight Corridor-2, which is operated by Mumbai-based Round the Coast Pvt Ltd.
This new service will connect Cochin with Beypore-Azhikkal and later Kollam ports in Kerala. Vessels shall ferry load from Cochin to Beypore and Azhikkal twice a week. Commodities like rice, wheat, salt, construction material, cement and others will be sent from Gujarat to Cochin port. From there, goods will be further transported to hinterlands and other nearby ports using waterways. On its return voyage, commodities like plywood, textiles, coffee, footwear will be ferried.
