RAJKOT: The centuries-old trade ties between Kutch in Gujarat and the Middle East have been dealt a body blow by the crisis in war-torn Yemen.

Owners of sailing vessels say that they have already suffered a loss of nearly Rs 30 crore in just 15 days as the entire trade has been stranded.

There are nearly 350 sailing vessels including dhows from coastal villages of Saurashtra that operate in the Middle East, especially Yemen. Of the 350, 200 are from Jam Salaya near Jamnagar and 100 from Mandvi town of Kutch. Rest of the vessels are from Porbandar, Veraval, Sikka, Bharana and Okha.

At least one vessel travels to Yemen daily carrying edible oil, salt, rice, flour, sugar and other essentials. They have a cargo carrying capacity of 500-1,000 tonnes and the vessel owners earn Rs 160 per tonne as freight charges.

Haji Yunus, president of Indian Sailing Vessels Association , said that they have suffered at least Rs 30 crore in losses, which includes damages to two dhows that were bombed.

