Kolkata: Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMPK) began night navigation on the River Hooghly, marking a new phase in the port’s operational capacity. Announced on Sunday, May 4, 2025, the move is set to ease congestion, reduce pre-berthing delays, and improve vessel turnaround time between Budge Budge and the sea.

The new facility allows cargo ships to transit the river channel at night, a shift made possible through a combination of digital infrastructure and maritime navigation systems. SMPK has installed electronic charts, track lighting, and illuminated buoys to guide ships along the Hooghly's winding route.

The night navigation system was developed following a detailed study by the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT Madras, in collaboration with the Port of Antwerp. The planning focused on the complexities of the Hooghly’s tides and currents, and recommended specific upgrades to enable continuous movement of vessels.

The first successful night-time passage was completed by M V Sinar Penida, a container vessel carrying 8,000 metric tonnes of cargo. With this advancement, SMPK is expecting an uptick in the number of vessels that can be handled daily, which will ease berth availability and support cargo throughput.

“We look forward to enabling night navigation for larger vessels, transforming SMPK into a more agile and future-ready port,” said SMPK deputy chairman Samrat Rahi.

BI Bureau