Government to support merchant marine fleet

BANGKOK, Dec 7 (TNA) -- The Thai government is going all out to give support to the merchant marine business with an aim to make it the hub in this region and could compete with Singapore. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said he had requested the National Legislative Assembly’s Merchant Marine Promotion Committee to send him documents on ways to develop merchant marine business to the government for a study and make necessary amendments. International trade is growing continuously but potential on goods transportation has not been fully used, Mr Somkid said. Meanwhile, Admiral Yutthana Fakpholngam, chairman of the Committee, said the total freight value capacity of Thai merchant marine is as high as 1.3 trillion baht. Thailand’s exports and imports via ships account 90 per cent while the rest is conducted by land and air, said Adm Yutthana. Therefore, merchant marine business ought to be developed in every field. Adm Yutthana suggested that the draft on merchant marine development should be supported with a law and an establishment of an office. If the government agrees to promote merchant marine industry, some additional nine per cent of merchant marine fleet is projected to join in the early stage and the industry could become the hub in this region and able to compete with Singapore. (TNA)