The Hindu Business Line : Kochi to install vessel traffic management system

Kochi, Dec 17 As part of its ongoing strategy to modernise its infrastructure to support the upcoming facilities such as International Container Transhipment Terminal, LNG Terminal, SPM of BPCL-KR, Cruise Terminal etc, the Cochin Port Trust has decided to install a modern ‘vessel traffic management system’ (VTMS) to ensure total navigational safety.

The port had entered into an agreement with Transas Ltd, Ireland, for the commissioning of VTMS in the port.

The project, which is being implemented on a turn-key basis, will be commissioned by November 2008.

Navigational safety

Installation of VTMS facility will enable the port to ensure total navigational safety to monitor the vessel traffic movement in the entire harbour and detect the movements of any unauthorised or unscheduled vessels in the area.

VTMS will monitor the vessels in the harbour to prevent accidental collision, grounding and damages to underwater structures with special reference to the anchored vessels in the anchorage and those moving in the navigational channel.

Installation of VTMS is a major step towards ensuring security and safety to the maritime sector in and around the port but also for the coastal waters within the port limits.

Role in security

VTMS will also play an important role in the security of the port based special economic zones at Vallarpadam and Puthuvypeen where vital installations such as the SPM facility and the storage tank farm of BPCL-KR are situated and a number of maritime projects including ICTT and LNG terminal by Petronet LNG are in different stages of construction.

While improving the safety and averting the risks of vessel traffic accidents in port area, the VTMS will also help monitor the position of navigational aids such as buoys, etc. in the harbour area.

The system will provide necessary data to other sub-systems of the computerised port management information system, which in turn will enable improvements in the official procedures and services to the customers.

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