The Chennai Port and the Kamarajar Port will soon have new exclusive clubs for seafarers with a host of amenities.
When a ship reaches a port after a long journey, seafarers often look forward to a break and relax for a couple of days. To facilitate this, both the ports are gearing up to set up the clubs, officials said.
The Directorate-General of Shipping, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, had issued a circular last year mentioning the need to have in place good recreational facilities for seafarers. While there is a Seafarers’ Club for the Chennai Port now, it is not located within the port’s boundary. Besides, members of the crew who wish to utilise its facilities will need a pass from immigration officials, an official said, adding: “The new one [club] will be set up on the port’s premises, and they [seafarers] would not need any pass [to use it]. Once they de-board from the ship, they can walk to the club. There will be a gym, kitchen, library, dining area, supermarket and resting rooms. The estimated cost [to set up the facility] is nearly ₹7 crore. We are hoping to award the contract in March, and it may be completed by December…”
‘First such club’
For Kamarajar Port, this will the first such club, and it will have a lot more facilities. Apart from resting rooms, a dining area, library and kitchen, there will be a bar, lobby, business centre, and courts for badminton and table tennis, the officials added. The estimated cost of construction is ₹10 crore, and it will be completed by March.
“The ports are located quite far from the core areas of the city. If one has to travel, it takes some time. Also, some of them travel on the ship with their spouses. Crew members will be exhausted after the travel, and would love to just relax if there is a club on the port premises itself. Especially because tankers are berthed for a day, and some of the capesize large vessels will be here for two to four days. It will really help the crew….,” a source said.
Published – February 05, 2025 01:01 am IST