Keen to reduce the cost of logistics and improve port efficiency, the Union ministry for ports and shipping has asked the Mormugao Ports Authority (MPA) to ensure that cargo ships take not more than 51 hours (2 days 3 hours) to unload their cargo and leave the berth.
One of the measures that the port intends to adopt is to upgrade the vessel traffic management system (VTMS), which can improve efficiency of the vessel operations.
“Right now the ministry has given targets to reduce the turnaround time after considering the challenges faced by each port. Mormugao port has got a target of 51 hours turnaround time and we are at around 57 hours. It may so happen that because of weather conditions and other challenges, one vessel may take more time and one may take less time. Our target is to bring it down to 51 hours this year,” said MPA chairman N Vinodkumar.
Vinodkumar was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the one-day conference on the role of 5G technology and advanced Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS) for seaports and maritime operations.
The project is expected to take two years to implement while the Centre has given MPA a one-year timeline to reduce the turnaround time.
The average turnaround time for Indian ports declined from 4.3 days in 2012-13 to 2.1 days in 2022-23.
“A vessel coming into the port and leaving the port; this whole process can be driven by the VTMS, which can improve the efficiency and reduce the turnaround time at the port. It is a work in progress,” said Mumbai Port Authority chairman Rajiv Jalota.
Jalota said that IIT Madras has developed a ‘home-grown’ VTMS, which has been tested at a couple of ports in the country and which will now be implemented in all major ports.
Vinodkumar also said that 70% of the cruise terminal has been constructed with operations expected to commence by Jan.
