Kolkata Port achieves historic night pilotage, boosts efficiency

• Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority (SMPA) successfully conducted its first-ever night-time pilotage in the Upper Reaches of the Hooghly river.
• The historic move, in the port's 155-year history, aims to reduce vessel turnaround time and enhance overall port productivity.
• Container vessel Sinar Pangalam Susu was safely navigated through the narrow channel of Kolkata Dock System (KDS) during darkness on February 25.
• This follows a successful trial movement on May 2, 2025, with outward-bound vessel Sinar Penida, paving the way for round-the-clock navigation.
• The initiative is expected to optimize berth utilization, ease congestion, and improve cargo handling, strengthening Kolkata's position as a premier riverine port.