Latest news with #VTMS
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
PTP strengthens global ties, powers ahead on green port ambitions
JOHOR BARU: Tanjung Pelepas Port (PTP) is deepening its international partnerships and accelerating its green transformation as it marks 25 years of operations, emerging as one of the world's top five most efficient ports. PTP chief executive officer Mark Hardiman said recent high-level engagements with the Australian government have catalysed deeper bilateral ties, particularly following last year's visit by the Australia-Southeast Asia Business Exchange Trade Delegation. He said the engagement with the Australians, had paved the way for a strategic partnership between PTP and the Melbourne, with both parties poised to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalise collaboration in sustainable port operations and digital logistics. "PTP's global outreach reflects our ambition to be not just a trade hub, but a responsible, future-ready port," Hardiman told Business Times. PTP is aggressively advancing its decarbonisation agenda through land and sea-based innovations, which includes asset digitalisation systems, a Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS), and a switch to renewable energy via rooftop solar, solar farms, and waste-to-energy projects. Hardiman said the port has already slashed its carbon emissions intensity by 18 per cent as of March 2025, and is targeting a 45 per cent reduction by 2030. While, on the fleet side, PTP is transitioning to electric prime movers (e-PMs), and exploring biodiesel B20 use and green vessels aligned with the International Maritime Organisation's Green Voyage 2050 initiative. Significantly, PTP's sustainability push began in 2012, well before the United Nations introduced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - with the deployment of a full fleet of electric rubber-tyred gantry (e-RTG) cranes. PTP's transformation also rests on social and governance pillars. In line with Malaysia's Ekonomi Madani, it actively promotes gender diversity, employing the country's first female marine harbour pilot, RTG operator, and female prime mover drivers, who now comprise 10 per cent of the fleet. "Our people-first culture is non-negotiable. We are committed to workplace safety, career development, and inclusive growth. "Workplace safety, skills development, and Corporate Social Responsibility engagement also anchor PTP's people-first approach," he said. Governance-wise, the port upholds international standards as a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, works with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on ABAC compliance, and commits to labour and human rights protections. Since its establishment in 2000, PTP has grown from a bold idea into a global player. It is now ranked among the Top 15 container ports globally by throughput. "We believe in transforming vision into reality. Our journey has not been easy, but it has made us more resilient. Our growth will continue to be guided by sustainability and innovation," he added.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
KSRTC rolls out real-time bus tracking system
Vehicle Tracking and Monitoring System KSRTC From now on, passengers will be able to check departure times for buses, track buses that have left other stations, and know when they will arrive at their destination –KSRTC official The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is rolling out a(VTMS) that will enable passengers to access real-time information on bus schedules and locations right at their fingertips. Aofficial said, 'From now on, passengers will be able to check departure times for buses, track buses that have left other stations, and know when they will arrive at their destination.'Passengers will soon be able to track the movement of KSRTC buses in real time, thanks to a new GPS-enabled tracking system set to be implemented across the by the Railway Ministry's live tracking model, KSRTC plans to introduce a mobile app that allows users to check departure times, track buses from other stations, and estimate arrival times at their VTMS will use GPS-based devices installed in 8,800 buses, including those with and without advance booking facilities. The app will allow passengers to enter the bus registration number and trip code to receive accurate service details, including route and fare information. Real-time updates will also be available at bus stations, helping passengers plan their travel more of the key advantages of the new system is improved safety. KSRTC officials said the system will be integrated with the corporation's 24/7 Command Centre, which will monitor bus movements and issue safety alerts to drivers—particularly during night shifts. 'VTMS will be a key tool in preventing accidents,' the official added. 'The app will send alerts to ensure drivers follow safe practices.'A study conducted by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation has supported the use of real-time tracking to enhance road safety and operational efficiency. The system is also expected to help improve fuel usage and reduce unnecessary stops, contributing to better overall fleet project, estimated at ₹30 crore, is being jointly funded by the state and central governments, with 60% of the funding coming from the state. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, 'By implementing VTMS, we aim to increase transparency and reliability in KSRTC operations. Passengers will benefit from real-time updates, improving convenience and saving time.'Officials added that the system will also allow KSRTC to monitor driver behaviour, track speed, check for route deviations, and ensure buses are not stopping unnecessarily at hotels or bypassing designated believes the new tracking system will be a game-changer for both passengers and the corporation alike.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PM Modi inspects operations at Vizhinjam port in Thiruvananthapuram
T'puram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who landed at Vizhinjam International Seaport on Friday morning by helicopter from the Pangode military station, inspected operations at the newly inaugurated port. He first visited the berth where a giant container ship, MSC Celestino, was docked. With chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani standing close by, the Prime Minister listened and observed the nitty-gritty of the operations. He also posed for photos with the container ship in the background at the berth. The entourage later moved to the operations building where Modi inspected the vessel traffic management system (VTMS). The staff gave a presentation on how ships are handled with the help of the indigenous technology and how safety is ensured at a port where huge ships sail in and out almost back-to-back. Modi also visited the planning room and remote control operation desk where staff, mostly women, operate the cranes using consoles with joysticks. The 20 people trained at the port for the job move containers using ship-to-shore cranes and then stack them around the yard using yard cranes. Modi also interacted with some of the staff before moving to the inauguration venue to attend the function at around 11am.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Vizhinjam seaport set to boost South Asia's maritime trade
The Vizhinjam International Seaport, an all-weather port which is poised to be a pivotal hub for India's maritime transshipment, will script a new history in the annals of Indian maritime trade on Friday (May 2, 2025) with Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicating the ambitious port project to the country by 11 a.m. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, Vizhinjam Port is expected to be a game-changer in South Asia's maritime trade. Mr. Modi arrived at Thiruvananthapuram International Port on Thursday evening (May 1, 2025) to officially commission the project. Also Read | Tight security in Thiruvananthapuram ahead of PM's visit The first semi-automated port in the country, Vizhinjam seaport positions itself as one of the most technologically sophisticated transshipment ports globally, reducing vessel turnaround times and enhancing India's capacity to handle large container ships. Armed with an AI-driven control room and Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) developed by IIT-M and Maritime Technology Pvt Ltd., the first Indigenous vessel management system implemented at an Indian port, the port could track ships approaching the port using radar and sensors, providing real-time location and movement updates to nearby vessels and optimising port traffic flow and berthing assignments. The port is also expected to reduce the dependence of the country on other international ports. Around 75% of the country's transshipment cargo is being handled at international ports, resulting in a loss of up to $200-220 million of potential revenue each year, rendering the Indian industries vulnerable to an increase in costs, potential inefficiencies and congestion issues, and creating long-term risks for India's trade competitiveness. The all-weather port has weathered many challenges in its way. Among the challenges, the stiff protest raised against the construction of the breakwater by fishermen backed by a prominent church outfit was the main issue the Kerala government had to deal with, although the location of the port offers several advantages, such as natural depth and lack of littoral movement, making it an ideal location for an international-scale seaport. However, the rubble-mounded breakwater constructed, surviving the challenges put up by a section, is an engineering marvel in the country. A 2,960-meter-long breakwater has been constructed in water at a depth of 18 to 20 meters with an overall height of 28 meters, which is equivalent to a 9-storey building, making it the deepest breakwater ever constructed in the country. Now the port, which is 10 nautical miles away from the international shipping routes connecting Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Far East, the east-west shipping axis, can berth new generation vessels of capacity around 18,000 TEU as the site is endowed with a natural water depth of 18 to 20 meters within a kilometre from the coast, suitable to accommodate very large mother vessels. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has already granted environmental clearance for the second and third phases of development of the port, which will attract an investment of ₹9,560 crore by Adani Port as per the concession agreement, which will enhance the current capacity of the port from 1 million TEUs / annum to 3 million TEUs / annum by 2028. According to Kerala Port Minister V.N. Vasavan, the first phase cost of the project is ₹8,867 crore. Of this, the State government's contribution is pegged at about ₹5,595 crore (63%), while the Adani Group, concessionaire of the project, spends ₹2,454 crore (28%). The Centre should have avoided the controversy of providing the assured viability gap funding of ₹818 crore (9%) as a 'loan' to the project. However, with the formal commissioning, Vizhinjam will grow to a level that can compete with any major port in the world, and it's a proud moment for Kerala, said Mr. Vasavan. The formal commissioning of the port will be attended by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Ministers of State George Kurien and Suresh Gopi, State Ministers, Opposition Leader and others.
