The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu has signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Technology Centre for Ports Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC), IIT Madras for development of Indigenous Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Software and for Operation, Manning and Maintenance of Vessel Traffic System.
- VOC Port is the 1st Indian Major Port to sign MoU with NTCPWC for development of Indigenous software for VTS. NTCPWC is the technology arm of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
- The MoU was signed by Captain Pravin K. Singh, Deputy Conservator, VOC Port & NTCPWC Professor K. Murali.
- The duration of the MoU for maintenance and updating of the Vessel Traffic System will be a period of 5 years (extendable upto 5 years).
- The Indigenous VTS will be developed at a cost of INR 27, 81, 600, while the Operation, Manning, and Maintenance of existing VTS will be carried out at a recurring monthly charge of INR 2, 56, 200.
Key Points
i.The present VTS is being upgraded as it is operational for more than 7 years and lacks the features needed for a rapidly changing Maritime Domain.
ii.As per the agreement,
- NTCPWC will develop an Indigenous VTS System which will facilitate identification, tracking, analysis of shipping traffic, real-time information for Pilots, monitoring of meteorological warnings, and integration of existing Automatic Identification System (AIS).
- It will also assess the existing VTS functionalities and provide proposals for upgradation and maintenance.
iii.VTS is mandatory under IMO (International Maritime Organisation) convention ‘SOLAS’ (Safety of Life at Sea).
- A Modern VTS integrates all information into a single operator working environment for ease of use and to allow for effective Maritime traffic organization and communication.
Recent Related News:
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.
About V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust
Chairman – T. K. Ramachandran
Location – Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu
About National Technology Centre for Ports Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC)
It is situated in IIT Madras Campus in Chennai, Tamil Nadu & Established in 2018.
