This system marks a major advance for India, enabling independent design, operation, and maintenance of critical port technology.
IIT Madras has created and implemented India’s first domestic Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) for ports, marking a significant advancement in the marine industry’s technological independence. According to officials, the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT Madras developed the solution based on guidelines provided by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
The system represents a breakthrough in India’s capacity to develop, run, and maintain vital port-management technology independently of outside vendors. He added that worries about possible leaks of private vessel-movement data are also eliminated by the in-house platform.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the system at Kerala’s Vizhinjam International Seaport (VISL) in May. Similar installations are being discussed with two more ports on the western coast.
He stated that the government’s total control over the databases, system architecture, and software source code is a major benefit of the domestic VTMS. This guarantees strategic independence and enables the nation to develop a staff with advanced knowledge of marine traffic control.
The platform can be improved to include cutting-edge technologies and international best practices. It was built to be scalable, secure, and economical. In contrast to foreign or proprietary systems, Murali underlined that the system’s modular structure enables quick updates, decreased operational risk, and lower maintenance costs. He noted that India can develop more quickly and implement tailored solutions across more ports by avoiding vendor lock-in.
SOURCE – MARITIME GATEWAY
