Chennai Port Launches NACFS-developed ‘Port Setu’ to Digitise Monitoring of Export Container Movement

Chennai:

Port Wings News Network:

Chennai Port Authority on 1 October launched ‘Port Setu’, developed by NACFS (Chennai Chapter), to Digitise monitoring of Export Container Movement from CFSs to Chennai Port under ONOP Initiative.

The One Nation One Port Process (ONOP) Initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), aims to digitalise and harmonise port procedures across all the Indian Ports.

Chennai Port Authority, in association with Chennai Customs, National Association of Container Freight Station (NACFS) – Chennai Chapter, and container terminals M/s. CCTL and M/s. CITPL, has implemented Port Setu, Phase 1 of the Intelligent Vehicle Monitoring System (IVMS), for monitoring the movement of export containers from CFS to Chennai Port.

Port Setu, a first-of-its-kind solution in India, digitises the monitoring of Export Container Movement from CFSs to Chennai through technology such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), RFID Readers and software integrations, including Customs’ ICEGATE.

While the Port Setu solution went live on 17 September 2026, the system was formally launched on 1 October 2026 by Sachin S. Kurve, IAS, Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority and KPL, in the presence of Dr. Periasamy M. IRS, Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Chennai, S Sathyanarayanan, Chairman NACFS (Chennai Chapter), Karan Thakkar, Secretary NACFS (Chennai Chapter), and the Container terminals (M/s. CCTL and M/s. CITPL) and Officials of Chennai Port Authority.

Speaking on the occasion, Sachin S Kurve congratulated all stakeholders for their joint efforts and coordination in implementing the system.

He stated that Port Setu, implemented by NACFS (Chennai Chapter), will provide greater visibility of container movement and enable CFSs to optimise trailer management within Chennai Port Authority.

Dr. M. Periasamy, IRS Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) Chennai Customs, stated that the digitalisation and automation of procedures will help streamline trailer movement within the port while enabling Chennai Customs to ensure compliance with prescribed procedures.

S Sathyanarayanan Chairman NACFS – Chennai Chapter, stated that Port Setu will provide CFSs with greater visibility of trailer movements to Chennai Port and thanked Chennai Customs for its initiative to digitalise and automate the gate-entry procedures under ONOP.

Key Benefits of Port Setu

Digital Transit-Time Records: Digitally records the transit time of export containers between CFSs and Chennai Port Authority, enabling analysis of actual movement patterns and ground realities.
Integrated Multi-Agency Visibility: Provides a common platform for Chennai Customs, Chennai Port Authority and CFSs to monitor export container movement from CFS Gate-Out to Chennai Port Entry and validate transit times against Customs-prescribed timelines.
Improved Trailer Management: Provides CFSs with real-time visibility of trailer arrivals at Chennai Port, enabling better planning and coordination. The system is expected to reduce trailer turnaround time and enable CFSs to achieve one additional round trip for every six trips.
Reduced Manual Verification: Digitises the verification process by electronically capturing relevant movement and clearance information, thereby reducing dependence on manual document verification.

Phase 2: Towards a Completely Paperless Gate Process

Phase 2 of the Intelligent Vehicle Monitoring System (IVMS) will be implemented by the container terminals of Chennai Port Authority, under which verification of seal intactness will also be digitised. With the implementation of Phase 2, gate-entry procedures at Chennai Port are envisaged to become completely digital and paperless, further advancing the objectives of the ONOP Initiative.