Kolkata: Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) launched evening navigation on Saturday within the higher reaches of Hooghly river— from Budge Budge to the ocean— a vital improvement aimed toward decreasing flip spherical time and pre-berthing detention of vessels.
SMPK chairman Rathendra Raman mentioned, “The profitable introduction of evening navigation within the higher stretches of the river Hooghly is a testomony to the scientific and technological strategy adopted by the port. It’s going to considerably enhance operational effectivity and turnaround time, paving the way in which for enhanced commerce throughput.”
He added, “With additional acclimatization of pilots and steady technological upgradation, we look ahead to enabling evening navigation for bigger vessels with deeper drafts, finally remodeling SMPK right into a extra agile and future-ready port.”
The inaugural run, carried out within the early hours immediately, noticed the profitable transit of the container vessel M V SinarPenida, with a size general of 117 meters and a draft of six meters, carrying a cargo amount of 8000 MT from Budge Budge to the ocean throughout full darkness. This profitable transit marks the start of a brand new period for navigation on the Hooghly.
Traditionally, the lengthy and meandering 232-km river channel from sea to Kolkata Dock System (KDS), marked by restrictions in navigable depth and powerful cross-tidal currents, posed a big problem for steady vessel motion. The absence of evening navigation between Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas and Kolkata was a longstanding obstacle to optimum maritime operations.
Leveraging fashionable digital aids like digital charts and navigational simulators, and backed by vital enhancements in navigational infrastructure—together with observe lights, transit lights and illuminated channel buoys —SMPK has now enabled seamless nighttime vessel transit by means of the river channel.
The Nationwide Know-how Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts and IIT Madras ready a complete research and roadmap for evening navigation in collaboration with the Port of Antwerp A navigational simulator, collectively put in by IIT Madras and ARI, is now operational to assist pilot coaching and real-time state of affairs evaluation.
With the introduction of evening navigation, the port is anticipated to witness a notable enhance within the variety of vessels that may be dealt with day by day, considerably enhancing berth availability and port throughput.
The flexibility to function around the clock will decongest the channel, facilitate faster vessel turnaround, and straight impression vital key efficiency indicators corresponding to pre-berthing delay, berth occupancy fee and ship-day productiveness.
This strategic enhancement is poised to make SMPK a extra engaging and aggressive hub for international transport strains, mentioned SMPK deputy chairman Samrat Rahi. The introduction of evening navigation is poised to considerably scale back vessel turnaround time, ease river visitors congestion, and improve general port effectivity.
