CPI(M) MP and D. Ayyappan Meet Shipping Minister, Urge Resumption of 1200+ Pax Ship Development for A&N Islands; Increase Key Shipping Considerations

Tarun Karthick

Sri Vijaya Puram, 31 July 2025

Mr. R. Sachithanantham, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Tamil Nadu [CPI(M) MP], together with Mr. D. Ayyappan, Secretary of the CPI(M) Andaman and Nicobar State Organising Committee, met the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, at his workplace in Parliament House right now and submitted a letter enclosing an in depth memorandum from the celebration’s Andaman & Nicobar State unit.

During the assembly, the CPI(M) leaders urged the Minister to renew the development of two 1200-passenger vessels with a cargo capability of 1000 metric tonnes, which had been ordered by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration from Cochin Shipyard a number of years in the past. The memorandum acknowledged that development had reached the midway mark earlier than being halted primarily based on a directive from the Government of India, citing that the ships had been now not required.

Highlighting the continued difficulties confronted by passengers touring between the islands and the mainland, the CPI(M) leaders careworn the pressing want for added ships to deal with the hole in maritime connectivity. They argued that the provision of those massive vessels wouldn’t solely ease passenger transport but additionally facilitate bulk cargo motion, thereby decreasing the excessive freight prices presently charged by personal cargo operators — prices that are ultimately handed on to customers within the islands.

The memorandum additional identified that the commissioning of those ships would generate employment for about 200 to 300 unemployed seafarers within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Addressing the transportation wants of the southern group of islands, the CPI(M) delegation reiterated the long-standing demand of the Nicobarese tribal communities for added MV Sentinel-type vessels. Due to the tough sea circumstances and shallow berthing infrastructure in islands like Car Nicobar, these smaller vessels are extra appropriate than bigger ships. The celebration requested the procurement of no less than three extra such vessels to strengthen maritime connectivity within the area.

The CPI(M) leaders additionally referred to as for the procurement of extra inter-island ships with a capability of 450 to 500 passengers to fulfill rising demand amongst islanders.

The memorandum expressed concern over the whole reliance on personal cargo vessels for transportation between the mainland and Port Blair, noting that presently no government-owned cargo ships are working on these routes. With the technical validity of personal cargo vessels nearing expiry within the coming years, the CPI(M) warned of an impending disaster in important provides except authorities cargo vessels are procured urgently.

On the staffing entrance, the memorandum highlighted the scarcity of standard roster crew members in ships operated by the A&N Administration. It famous that many seafarers are being employed on a contractual foundation as a consequence of an absence of latest everlasting recruitments, whilst current everlasting crew retire 12 months after 12 months. The CPI(M) urged the Minister to provoke everlasting recruitment to deal with the rising unemployment amongst seafarers within the Union Territory.

The Union Minister of Shipping, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, assured the CPI(M) delegation that the problems raised within the memorandum could be thought-about favourably.