In a historic first, Kolkata Port launches night navigation for round-the-clock vessel movement

A container vessel entering the Netaji Subhas Dock of SMP, Kolkata. File photo.

In a historic first, the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), one of India’s oldest major riverine ports, launched night navigation capabilities on Saturday (May 3, 2025) in the upper reaches of West Bengal’s Hooghly River, covering the stretch from Budge Budge to the Bay of Bengal.

This development is expected to significantly boost port efficiency and trade volume by allowing more vessels to enter and leave the port daily.

Early Saturday morning, SMPK authorities operationalised the system with the successful maiden nighttime transit of the container vessel MV Sinar Penida. The ship (117 meters length overall, 6.0 meters draft) successfully carried 8,000 tonnes of cargo towards the Bay of Bengal in the darkness of the night.

SMPK Chairperson Rathendra Raman termed the launch “historic”, stating the system will “significantly improve operational efficiency and turnaround time, paving the way for enhanced trade throughput.”

Explaining the practical benefits, SMPK Chief Public Relations Officer Sanjay Mukherjee told The Hindu, “High tides in the Hooghly River facilitate vessel movement. Historically, without night operations, we could only utilise the daytime high tide. Now, we can leverage the nighttime high tide as well, enabling us to handle more vessels and cargo daily.”

Mr. Mukherjee added that the initiative followed a comprehensive study and roadmap developed by the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, in collaboration with the Port of Antwerp, Belgium.

SMPK’s new nighttime system relies on upgraded navigation infrastructure, including track lights, transit lights, and illuminated channel buoys, complemented by electronic aids such as electronic charts.

Furthermore, a navigational simulator, jointly installed by IIT Madras and Applied Research International, will support pilot training and real-time scenario analysis.

SMPK Deputy Chairperson Samrat Rahi noted that round-the-clock navigation allows the port to handle a higher number of vessels and helps decongest the river channel.

“This strategic enhancement is poised to make SMPK a more attractive and competitive hub for global shipping lines,” Mr. Rahi added.