On 20th October, 2020, Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge) for Shipping, Mansukh Mandaviya e-launched the development of Indigenous Software solution for Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) and Vessels Traffic Monitoring Systems (VTMS) in New Delhi. The launch of indigenous software is in line with Prime Minister’s Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Mission.
The indigenous VTS and VTMS software will help in determining the position of shipping Vessels, position of other traffic and other meteorological hazard warnings, and traffic management within a port or waterway.
Key Points:
i.The Indigenous Software has been developed by Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL), and National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai.
ii.The Indigenous software will pave the way for ‘Made for the World’ Vessel Traffic Management Systems.
iii.Ministry of Shipping has sanctioned an amount of INR 10 Crore to Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Chennai for development of Indigenous VTS software solutions.
iv.The implementation of National Maritime Domain Awareness programme of Indian Navy and National Coastal Vessel Traffic Services (NCVTS) of DGLL will become achievable with the Indian VTS Software, as it is available at low cost.
Vessel Traffic Services (VTS):
i.VTS will contribute to safety of life at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation, protection of marine environment, work sites and offshore installations from possible adverse effects of maritime traffic.
ii.At Present, India has approximately 15 VTS systems operational along the Indian coast.
Vessels Traffic Monitoring Systems (VTMS):
i.VTMS is mandatory under International Maritime Organization (IMO) convention SOLAS (Safe of Life at Sea).
ii.VTMS has been installed in busiest waters in the world and has been making valuable contributions to safe navigation, efficient traffic flow, and protection of the environment.
iii.Using VTMS, Data from traffic movements can be stored and used as reference information for port administration, authorities, coastguards and search and rescue services.
Advantages of Indigenous Software:
i.The Development of Indigenous VTS software is expected to reduce expenditure of Foreign exchange and minimize the dependence on Foreign Support for VTS Software.
ii.VTS software can be provided to Indian trade friendly nations such as Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Gulf countries.
iii.It will minimize cost for future upgradations of software.
iv.Availability of Indigenous VTS software will enable Indian companies to be commercially competitive in Global Bids.
Recent Related News:
i.On September 21, 2020 Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge) for shipping, Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of Maldives, Aishath Nahula jointly launched the First Ever Direct Cargo Ferry Service between India and Maldives.
ii.On July 16, 2020, Union Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) Mansukh Mandaviya flagged off the first trial container ship, ‘MV Shejyoti’ from Kolkata (West Bengal) to Agartala (Tripura) through Chattogram Port of Bangladesh in a virtual ceremony.
About Ministry of Shipping:
Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge) – Mansukh Mandaviya
Headquarters – New Delhi
