New shipping routes set to sail
The Marine Department is preparing to open a shipping route from Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Bangsaphan district to Chon Buri’s Sattahip district as well as other water routes in Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakarn as soon as the Covid-19 situation improves further.
Director-general Witthaya Yamuang said a number of private shipping operators have expressed an interest to operate on the Prachuap Khiri Khan-Chon Buri route.
“The route’s opening had been postponed indefinitely due to the Covid-19 lockdown, but we believe that when the situation improves further the route will open for shipping immediately,” he said.
Witthaya also said the department is planning to expand two Chao Phraya shipping routes – from Sathorn Port to Pathum Thani Port and Sathorn to Samut Prakarn.
“Two private companies have expressed an interest to operate on these routes. We expect to open them before the year-end,” he said.
“Furthermore, the Marine Department has been building passenger piers at six sites that connect with new BTS/MRT stations in Bangkok, such as at Pinklao, Sathorn and Bang Pho. We believe these piers will increase the number of people using the Chao Phraya River as transport, which currently averages 40,000 people per day,” Witthaya said.
“The department also has a plan for future routes in southern regions to promote aquatic tourism in Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. A feasibility study for these projects should start this year,” he added.