India’s First Major Port Digital Twin Platform Rolled Out At V O Chidambaranar Port In Tamil Nadu

V O Chidambaranar Port Authority in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, has become the first major port in India to implement a comprehensive Digital Twin initiative for port management, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said in a statement on Thursday (12 March).

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal had inaugurated the platform on 23 February as part of infrastructure projects worth over ₹1,500 crore at the port.

The Digital Twin platform creates a high-fidelity, real-time virtual replica of the port's entire infrastructure, operational assets and maritime ecosystem.

It enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance and operational optimisation, significantly boosting efficiency, safety and productivity across the port ecosystem.

By integrating advanced technologies including IoT sensors, GPS tracking, LiDAR mapping, drone imaging and CCTV networks, the system continuously mirrors real-time conditions on the ground, enabling seamless coordination across all operational departments.

The Digital Twin Platform enables real-time operational monitoring, providing live visualisation of berth occupancy, vessel movements, crane utilisation, and yard capacity across the port. It supports predictive maintenance of cargo handling equipment through AI-based asset monitoring, helping to minimise equipment downtime and improve operational reliability.

The system facilitates berth and traffic optimisation by enabling intelligent scheduling of vessels and cargo operations, thereby reducing congestion and waiting time. In addition, the platform shall also provide energy and emissions tracking to support data-driven sustainability management and include scenario simulation capabilities that allow operators to conduct “what-if” modelling to prepare for peak demand situations and operational disruptions.

The digital transformation comes as VOC Port continues to strengthen its operational performance.

From April 2025 to January 2026, cargo handling rose six per cent to 35.97 million tonnes, including a record four million tonnes in January alone. Container volumes increased 9.4 per cent to more than 716,000 TEUs during the same period, driven by process reforms and expanded storage capacity.

The port has also installed an advanced anti-drone system to strengthen security of critical infrastructure. VOC Port Chairperson Susanta Kumar Purohit said the developments reflect the port's focus on world-class infrastructure, cutting-edge digitisation and port-led industrialisation, strengthening its pivotal role in regional prosperity and national development.