The Kolkata port has commenced night navigation on the Hooghly River, enhancing efficiency by reducing vessel wait times. This development marks a significant improvement in operations for the busy route to the Bay of Bengal. The first successful night transit was the container ship MV Sinarpenida, carrying 8,000 metric tons of cargo.
The historical challenges of navigating the 232 km channel from the sea to the Kolkata Dock System (KDS), including shallow depths and strong currents, have been alleviated with the recent advancements in navigation technology. Previously, the absence of night navigation from Diamond Harbor to Kolkata hindered operational flow.
Modern electronic aids, such as navigation simulators and electronic charts, now support night transit, alongside enhanced infrastructure like illuminated navigation lanes. The National Technology Center for Ports, Waterways, and Coasts (NTCPWC) at IIT Madras collaborated with Antwerp Port to create a comprehensive plan for implementing night navigation.
A newly installed navigation simulator is functional for pilot training and real-time scenario assessment. With the introduction of night navigation, authorities anticipate a substantial increase in the daily throughput of ships at the port.
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