The Indian port of Cochin is to upgrade its Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) after 11 years of continuous use of the original set-up, which was installed by Wärtsilä in 2008.
Wärtsilä will upgrade the VTMS following a new order from the port, to provide coverage from the port’s radar and automatic identification system (AIS) for traffic monitoring and control, accessible via the Navi-Harbour VTS software system.
The upgrade project is scheduled for completion by the end of July 2020.
Wärtsilä and CoPT (Cochin Port Trust) have also signed a 5-year Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (CAMC) for the upgraded system and a 6-year CAMC for the existing equipment.
“Ports all around the world are getting busier and a VTMS is essential for ensuring that the port’s operations are safe and efficient,” said Capt. Joseph Alapat, Deputy Conservator, Cochin Port Trust.
“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%. The Wärtsilä VTMS has helped the port to integrate the traffic from major projects, such as the Single Point Mooring (SPM), the International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), and the LNG Terminal, into the existing shipping channels.”
“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.”
