Archive · 28 Nov 2025
IIT Madras Develops India's First Indigenous VTMS
Researchers at IIT Madras have created a special system called VTMS to help manage ships in Indian ports.
This system was made entirely in India, which means the government has full control over it.
It was first used at a port in Kerala and will soon be used in other ports too.
This new system helps keep important information safe and reduces the need to buy technology from other countries.
It is also designed to be easy to use and maintain, and it helps train people to work with advanced technology.
This is a big step for India in making its own technology for managing ships and ports.
IIT Madras developed India's first Indigenous Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) for ports.
The system was designed and implemented by the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC) based on requirements from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoSPW).
The VTMS provides the Government of India with complete strategic control over vessel traffic data, eliminating risks of data leaks.
The system has been deployed at Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), Kerala, and discussions are underway for deployment at two other ports on India's western coast.
The VTMS is designed to be cost-effective, secure, easy to maintain, and scalable to meet evolving stakeholder requirements.
- Who
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)
- What
- Developed and deployed India's first Indigenous Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) for ports
- When
- Inaugurated on May 2, 2025
- Where
- Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited, Kerala
- Why
- To provide strategic control over vessel traffic data and reduce dependency on foreign systems
- Institution
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)
- System Developed
- Indigenous Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS)
- Deployment Location
- Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited, Kerala
- Inauguration Date
- May 2, 2025
- Key Official
- Prof K Murali, Head of NTCPWC, IIT Madras
- Government Ministry
- Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoSPW)
- Future Plans
- Discussions for deployment at two other ports on India's western coast