The shipping industry has undergone significant technological improvement over the past few years, which has ensured that a major chunk of international cargo movement efficiently happens using sea transport. 
 
This has given rise to the need for reliable Vessel Tracking Systems that can provide real-time data at the click of a button. In the current world where quick fetching is critical to take quick decisions, vessel monitoring is of utmost importance, and it positively affects the CFS Handling performance.
 
The use of Vessel Tracking Systems is also meaningful due to the unpredictable nature of weather. 
 
Due to the presence of different types of ships (bulk, cargo, oil tankers, and fishing vessels, etc.) in the ocean, their tracking is undeniably essential – especially for cargo and fishing vessels. Vessel Tracking Systems – also known as Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) – are an inseparable component of communication & monitoring of sea traffic. This takes care of tracking fishing vessels, cargo delivery, and even passenger vessels. The ship tracking becomes faster and easier with the use of VMS, and it also helps prevent offenses at sea.
 
With the help of VMS, the ships could be monitored according to various parameters and their locations mapped against the time. Many other such data are collected & processed that can be used by the authorities to take prompt actions. For example, in the case of fishing vessels, the authorities can track them if any boat is fishing in unauthorized waters or if they have crossed their fishing limit, etc.
 
This is possible with the help of the use of a communication device (also called transponders) installed inside each vessel that allows tracking and two-way communication. This offers the following uses:
 
●       Tracking of national & international ships within a defined area
●       To provide advanced alerts
●       Review and analysis of historical data across a particular route or for a specific vessel
●       Event recording of the transponders (manual switching off, tampering, etc.)
●       Monitoring of a small or large area and automatic detection of any movement (entering or exiting of any vessel) along with recording the speed, vessel name, timelines, nationalities, etc. of the vessels.
●       Communication & sharing of data with other VMS.
●       To populate a combined vessel registry.
●       Report generation
●       Issuing alerts
 
With all the available data, the Vessel Tracking System also helps in efficiently defining CFS handling performance across the various trade routes, countries, and according to different shipping lines, etc. CFS handling performance is critical to determine the quality and efficiency of a particular CFS – that, in turn, helps to optimize the processes & capacity enhancement.
               
One of the flagship Indian organizations providing VTS service is NICDC Logistics Data Services (NLDS), formerly known as DMICDC Logistics Data Services. NICDC is a joint venture between the Government of India represented by the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) and Japanese IT major NEC Corporation, with 50:50 equity participation.
 
NICDC’s updated tool, Logistics Data Bank (LDB), benefits users in tracking their cargo through one track & trace service and monitoring the CFS handling performance. It also offers vessel tracking services to various government and private agencies. The flagship project of the company, “Logistics Data Bank System (LDB System),” is a versatile solution that could be used to enhance the performance of CFS Handling and to provide container visibility service across PAN India along with comparative performance metrics.
 
NLDS was formed to implement& offer Information & Communication Technology (ICT) across the Indian Logistics Sector and advise the use of best practices across the various processes and work towards bringing efficiency in the supply chain. The company’s goals are to bring visibility and transparency in the Logistics environment, streamline the operations across the supply chain and help in the government’s plan of improving the Ease of Doing Business in India.

Items