Technology group Wärtsilä Corporation is to upgrade its Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) in the Indian port of Cochin. By adding the latest technology to the system, (which was originally delivered in 2008), Wärtsilä said “significant additional benefits can be gained”.
“The upgraded Wärtsilä VTMS will enable seamless coverage of the port’s radar and automatic identification system (AIS) for traffic monitoring and control, thereby raising the existing safety and efficiency levels,” it said in a statement.
The order with Wärtsilä was placed in February 2020 by the Cochin Port Trust (CoPT). Wärtsilä and CoPT have also signed a five-year Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (CAMC) for the upgraded system and a six-year CAMC for the existing equipment.
The Navi-Harbour VTS software also provides an interactive and user-friendly interface for the system’s operator.
The existing system at Cochin Port is completing 11 years of continuous use, during which time the number of vessels visiting the port has increased by more than 35 per cent. Wärtsilä said: “Ports all around the world are getting busier and a VTMS is essential for ensuring that the port’s operations are safe and efficient.”
The Wärtsilä VTMS has helped the port to integrate the traffic from major projects, such as the Single Point Mooring (SPM), the International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT), and the LNG Terminal, into the existing shipping channels.
Capt. Joseph Alapat Dy. Conservator (DC) Cochin Port Trust, India, said: “Because of the continuing growth in shipping traffic, it was necessary to upgrade the VTMS to make it fully technically compliant, and to cope with future requirements.”
The upgrading project is scheduled for completion by the end of July 2020.
Cochin is a major port on the Arabian Sea – Laccadive Sea – Indian Ocean sea route and is one of India’s largest ports. The Cochin Port Trust is owned by the Indian Government’s Ministry of Shipping.
The Wärtsilä VTS software has extensive functionalities, and the solution is modular, scalable, and accessible for future upgrade developments. Wärtsilä is a market leader in this field with more than 300 Vessel Traffic Management Systems installed in 70 countries around the world.
For more information visit www.wartsila.com
