Ports and Fisheries Minister of Kerala government, K Babu informed that the state government intends to set up a commercially viable inland water transport system to move 20 per cent of cargo through waterways by 2020.

He said this after inaugurating the Maritime Education and Training Summit recently.

With an ambition to link various modes of transport for cargo and passenger movement, the state government plans to develop an integrated multi-modal transport system.

The state government is also taking various related initiatives like setting up a Maritime Board, exploration of tourism potential in coastal shipping.

By setting up dedicated cargo terminals, the state government is in the process of revamping the port infrastructure facilities.

Meanwhile, during the event, Abdulgani Y Serang, General Secretary, National Union of Seafarers of India, has demanded to publicise the opportunities in seafaring profession in a big way to attract good quality people.

The shipping ministry proposed to increase the contribution of manpower to global shipping to 9 per cent by 2015, as India’s contribution is only 6-7 per cent.