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The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
In a historic first, Kolkata Port launches night navigation for round-the-clock vessel movement
In a historic first, the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), one of India's oldest major riverine ports, launched night navigation capabilities on Saturday (May 3, 2025) in the upper reaches of West Bengal's Hooghly River, covering the stretch from Budge Budge to the Bay of Bengal. This development is expected to significantly boost port efficiency and trade volume by allowing more vessels to enter and leave the port daily. Early Saturday morning, SMPK authorities operationalised the system with the successful maiden nighttime transit of the container vessel MV Sinar Penida. The ship (117 meters length overall, 6.0 meters draft) successfully carried 8,000 tonnes of cargo towards the Bay of Bengal in the darkness of the night. SMPK Chairperson Rathendra Raman termed the launch 'historic', stating the system will 'significantly improve operational efficiency and turnaround time, paving the way for enhanced trade throughput.' Explaining the practical benefits, SMPK Chief Public Relations Officer Sanjay Mukherjee told The Hindu, 'High tides in the Hooghly River facilitate vessel movement. Historically, without night operations, we could only utilise the daytime high tide. Now, we can leverage the nighttime high tide as well, enabling us to handle more vessels and cargo daily.' Mr. Mukherjee added that the initiative followed a comprehensive study and roadmap developed by the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, in collaboration with the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. SMPK's new nighttime system relies on upgraded navigation infrastructure, including track lights, transit lights, and illuminated channel buoys, complemented by electronic aids such as electronic charts. Furthermore, a navigational simulator, jointly installed by IIT Madras and Applied Research International, will support pilot training and real-time scenario analysis. SMPK Deputy Chairperson Samrat Rahi noted that round-the-clock navigation allows the port to handle a higher number of vessels and helps decongest the river channel. 'This strategic enhancement is poised to make SMPK a more attractive and competitive hub for global shipping lines,' Mr. Rahi added.
The Print
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
Syama Prasad Mookherjee Port launches night navigation on river Hooghly
The port leveraged modern electronic aids and navigational infrastructure, including electronic charts, track lights, and illuminated channel buoys. The initiative, aimed at reducing turnaround time and pre-berthing detention of vessels, enables seamless night-time vessel transit through the river channel from Budge Budge to the sea, a statement said. Kolkata, May 3 (PTI) Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMPK) Kolkata on Saturday announced the successful commencement of night navigation on the River Hooghly. The National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC), IIT Madras, prepared a comprehensive study and roadmap for night navigation in collaboration with the Port of Antwerp, it said. The inaugural run saw the successful transit of the container vessel M V Sinar Penida, carrying 8,000 MT of cargo. This development is expected to increase the number of vessels handled daily, improving berth availability and port throughput. SMPK deputy chairman Samrat Rahi said, 'We look forward to enabling night navigation for larger vessels, transforming SMPK into a more agile and future-ready port.' PTI BSM RG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Indian Express
03-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Kolkata Port launches night navigation on River Hooghly, significant increase in trade expected
The Kolkata Port Saturday successfully commenced night navigation in the upper reaches of the River Hooghly to the Bay of Bengal. This development will reduce turnaround time and pre-berthing detention of vessels. According to Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), the inaugural run, conducted in the early hours of Saturday, saw the successful transit of container vessel M V SinarPenida carrying a cargo quantity of 8,000 MT from Budge Budge to the sea during complete darkness. Speaking of the achievement, Rathendra Raman, Chairman, SMPK, said, 'This is a historic day for SMP Kolkata. The successful introduction of night navigation in the upper stretches of the River Hooghly is a testament to the scientific and technological approach adopted by the port. It will significantly improve operational efficiency and turnaround time, paving the way for enhanced trade throughput.' Historically, the long and meandering 232-km river channel from the sea to Kolkata Dock System (KDS), marked by restrictions in navigable depth and strong cross-tidal currents, posed a significant challenge for continuous vessel movement. The absence of night navigation between Diamond Harbour and Kolkata was a longstanding impediment to optimal maritime operations, port authorities said. According to SMPK authorities, nighttime vessel transit through the river channel will now be done by using modern electronic aids like electronic charts and navigational simulators, and backed by significant improvements in navigation infrastructure, including track lights, transit lights, and illuminated channel buoys. The National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC), IIT Madras, prepared a comprehensive study and roadmap for night navigation in collaboration with the Port of Antwerp. A navigational simulator, jointly installed by IIT Madras and Applied Research International, is now operational to support pilot training and real-time scenario analysis, authorities stated. They also said that with the introduction of night navigation, the port is expected to witness a notable increase in the number of vessels that can be handled daily. 'The ability to operate round the clock will decongest the channel, facilitate quicker vessel turnaround, and directly impact critical Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as Pre-Berthing Delay, Berth Occupancy Rate, and Ship-Day Productivity. This strategic enhancement is poised to make SMPK a more attractive and competitive hub for global shipping lines,' said Samrat Rahi, Deputy Chairperson, SMPK. Raman also said, 'With further acclimatisation of pilots and continuous technological upgradation, we look forward to enabling night navigation for larger vessels with deeper drafts, ultimately transforming SMPK into a more agile and future-ready port.'
