Kochi, Dec 22: The Cochin Port Trust has entered into an agreement with Ireland-based Transas Limited for the commissioning of a vessel traffic management system at the port.

The project is being implemented on a turnkey basis and will be commissioned by November 2008.

As part of the Cochin Port’s ongoing strategy to modernize its infrastructure to support upcoming facilities like the International Container Transshipment Terminal, the LNG Terminal, the Single Buoy Mooring of BPCL-KR and the Cruise Terminal etc., the Cochin Port Trust authorities have decided to install vessel traffic management system to ensure total navigational safety.

The installation of the VTMS facility will enable the port to monitor vessel traffic movement in the entire harbor and detect the movements of any unauthorized or unscheduled vessels in the area.

"The total cost would be around Rupees 60 million and it will be commissioned in one year" said a port official.

The VTMS will also seek to prevent accidental collisions, grounding or damages to underwater structures with special reference to anchored vessels and those moving through the navigational channel.

The VTMS will also ensure the security of the Port-Based Special Economic Zones at Vallarpadam and Puthuvypeen, where vital installations such as the Single Buoy Mooring facility (SBM) and the Storage Tank Farm of BPCL-KR are situated, besides a number of maritime projects like International Container Transshipment Terminal and the LNG Terminal by Petronet LNG. (ANI)