VOC Port Marks New Phase in Education, Green Port Leadership and Digital Transformation

New Delhi:

Port Wings News Network:

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, one of India’s leading major ports, marked an important institutional milestone on 23 June 2026 with the dedication of a set of education, sustainability and digital transformation initiatives by Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, at Transport Bhawan, New Delhi.

The programme brought together six initiatives that reflect the Port’s expanding role beyond cargo handling: strengthening educational access for the local community, advancing clean-energy-led port operations, building digital capability for future-ready maritime governance, and deepening collaboration with premier national institutions.

Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, said, “VOC Port Authority is entering an important phase where port development is being aligned with education, sustainability, digital systems and institutional capacity building. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, these initiatives strengthen our ability to serve trade and industry while also creating value for employees, the local community and the maritime sector. The dedication by the Hon’ble Union Minister is a significant encouragement to our continued efforts towards building a greener, smarter and more future-ready port.”

Among the initiatives dedicated was the commencement of Vidya Pravesh for the Academic Year 2026-27 at Kendriya Vidyalaya, VOC Port Authority, through video conferencing. The newly established Kendriya Vidyalaya will initially function from the Port School campus and will provide CBSE education to children of port employees, Central Government personnel and the local community.

The programme also marked the release of VOC Port Authority Sustainability Report 2026 – “Towards a Green Maritime Future”, the Port’s first comprehensive sustainability disclosure. The report records the Port’s progress in renewable energy adoption, environmental stewardship, carbon reduction and sustainable port operations, and places its green transition within the larger national maritime vision.

Further reinforcing this direction, VOC Port Authority received certification recognising it as a Scope-2 Emission Free Port, reflecting its transition towards clean energy and low-carbon operations. The certification is an important institutional marker in the Port’s journey towards becoming a leading green maritime gateway.

In the area of digital transformation, the Union Minister launched the PortGPT Mobile Application, making VOC Port Authority the first major port in India to extend an enterprise-grade Generative Artificial Intelligence platform through a dedicated mobile application. The initiative will support knowledge access, operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making, while contributing to the Port’s long-term Digital Twin and smart-port vision.

The event also witnessed the release of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta case study titled “The Hydrogen Pivot: Orchestrating the Green Transition at V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority.” The case study documents the Port’s work in renewable energy, green hydrogen and sustainable maritime innovation, positioning its transition as a learning model for the wider maritime sector.

As part of its focus on capacity building and maritime education, VOC Port Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Vadodara. The collaboration would cover research, innovation, logistics education, capacity building and sustainable port development, and is expected to support the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Maritime Logistics and Port Management.

The programme reflected VOC Port Authority’s commitment to advancing the national vision of Viksit Bharat, Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 through education, sustainability, innovation and institutional capacity building.

Over the years, VOC Port Authority has emerged as one of India’s progressive major ports, with growing emphasis on clean energy, digital systems, industry-academia collaboration and community-linked development. The initiatives being dedicated on 23 June 2026 reaffirm the Port’s commitment to building long-term value for trade, industry, employees, local communities and India’s maritime sector.

The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, representatives of premier academic institutions, industry stakeholders and officials of VOC Port Authority.