IIT Madras Unveils India’s First Indigenous Vessel Traffic System
Share
IIT Madras has developed and deployed India’s first indigenous Vessel Traffic Management System for ports, giving the Government of India complete strategic control over the source code, databases, and every critical layer of the system. This eliminates the risk of sensitive vessel-movement data leaking through foreign software vendors.
Developed entirely by the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC), the system is built as per the specifications laid out by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoSPW). The solution marks a major step towards technological self-reliance in the maritime sector and reduces dependence on imported systems.
The system is already operational at the Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) in Kerala, inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 2 May 2025. Two other ports on the western coast are now in discussions with IIT Madras for deployment.
A major advantage of this indigenous system is that the Government retains full ownership of the source code and technical architecture. This control allows India to build a skilled talent pool with hands-on knowledge of advanced maritime traffic management systems.
Prof. K. Murali, Head of NTCPWC, IIT Madras, said the home-grown system removes the risk of strategic data exposure that comes with foreign solutions. It also supports faster innovation, better problem-solving, and avoids operational and financial risks linked to proprietary vendors.
Technologically, the system offers key advantages:
customised, OEM-independent interfacing of radar and voice data;
open-source design for flexibility;
and secure architecture suitable for defence-linked applications.
The system is designed for scalability, can be deployed at more ports with minimal maintenance costs, and offers a fully secure platform without vendor lock-in or foreign exchange outflow.
