**Executive Summary**
This document is a response from the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to a question raised in the Lok Sabha regarding obstruction in ship movement near ports in Kerala, answered on 05.12.2025. It addresses incidents of ship delays, safety measures, restricted zones, and communication systems for fishing boats. The Kerala Government is considering a standard operating procedure (SOP) for harmonious operations between commercial shipping and fishing activities.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Incidents of Ship Delays:**
* Kerala Maritime Board reported two incidents in the Vizhinjam International Seaport in the last year where ship movements were delayed due to fishing vessels entering designated ship channels.
* **Safety Measures:**
* Shipping channels in Cochin Port are well-marked with navigational buoys.
* Routine patrols are conducted by security agencies in Cochin Port to ensure safe and unobstructed vessel movement.
* In non-major ports, channel buoys are installed, and coastal police enforce regulations regularly, along with sensitization programs for the local fishing community.
* The land and sea sides of the port have been declared as prohibited places.
* **Restricted Zones and Communication Systems:**
* A No-Fishing Zone, notified through the Kerala Government Gazette, is in force around the Single Point Mooring System operated by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited at Kochi refinery.
* Patrol boats provide continuous warnings and communication to ensure compliance within the No-Fishing Zone.
* **Standard Operating Procedure (SOP):**
* The Kerala Government is considering developing a SOP for harmonious operations between commercial shipping and traditional fishing activities.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Kerala Ports (Vizhinjam and Cochin)**
* **Impact:** Vizhinjam port had incidents of ship delays. Cochin port relies on well-marked shipping channels with navigational buoys and routine security patrols. The entire port is declared as a prohibited place for the safety of ship movements.
* **Action Required:** Implement the new SOP when available.
**Stakeholder: Fishermen/Fishing Community**
* **Impact:** Subject to restrictions within the No-Fishing Zone near Kochi refinery. Coastal police conduct sensitization programs for the local fishing community.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of and comply with the boundaries of the No-Fishing Zone and any new regulations included in the SOP.
**Stakeholder: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (Kochi Refinery)**
* **Impact:** No-Fishing Zone is in force around the Single Point Mooring System.
* **Action Required:** Continue to cooperate with patrol boats and ensure compliance with the restriction.
**Stakeholder: Kerala Government**
* **Impact:** Responsible for establishing SOP for harmonious operations between commercial shipping and fishing activities.
* **Action Required:** Finalize and implement the standard operating procedure (SOP) for harmonious operations between commercial shipping and traditional fishing activities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The central ministry responsible for the matters discussed in the Lok Sabha question.
Kerala: The state in India where the incidents related to port obstructions are occurring.
Vizhinjam International Seaport: A port in Kerala where ship movements were delayed due to fishing vessels.
Cochin Port: A port in Kerala where shipping channels are marked and patrolled.
No-Fishing Zone: A designated area around the Single Point Mooring System at Kochi refinery, notified through the Kerala Government Gazette, where fishing is prohibited.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1125
ANSWERED ON 05.12.2025
OBSTRUCTION IN SHIP MOVEMENT NEAR PORTS
1125. SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
(a) the number of incidents in Kerala ports like Vizhinjam in the last one year where
ship movements were delayed or obstructed due to fishing vessels or other small craft
entering designated ship channels;
(b) the measures being taken including signage, buoys, alerts, enforcement to prevent
such obstructions and protect both port operations and fishermen’s livelihoods; and
(c) whether the Government has mapped the extent of restricted zones around major
ports in Kerala and the warning/communication systems that are in place for small craft
and fishing boats?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) Kerala Maritime Board reported two incidents in the last year in the Vizhinajm
International Seaport where the ship movements were delayed due to fishing vessels
entering the designated ship channels.
(b) In the Cochin Port, the shipping channels are well-marked with navigational
buoys, and the routine patrols are carried out by security agencies to ensure safe and
unobstructed vessel movement. In the non-major ports, the channel buoys installed and
the enforcement by the coastal police is done regularly along with the sensitization
programmes for the local fisher folk community. The land side and sea side (including the
basin area, approach channel, vessel anchorage points) of the port has also been
declared as prohibited place. Kerala Government is considering standard operating
procedure(SOP) for harmonious operations between commercial shipping and traditional
fishing activities.
(c) A No-Fishing Zone, notified through the Kerala Government Gazette (G.O. (P) No.
88/2011/F&PD dated 30.09.2011), is in force around the Single point Mooring System
operated by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited at Kochi refinery. Patrol boats provide
continuous warnings and communication to ensure compliance with this restriction.
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