V. O. C. Port to install anti-drone systems; construction of berth 10 gathers momentum, says Chairman

With security threats assuming new dimension after the liberal use of drones, the V .O. C. Port has proposed to install anti-drone systems in the harbour considering the safety of vessels.

Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday evening after the ‘India Maritime Week 2025 Sponsors Appreciation Award Ceremony’, Chairman of V. O. C. Port Authority Susanta Kumar Purohit said the all-weather seaport, which was actively implementing a range of development projects for steeply increasing cargo handling, was giving due importance for strengthening security in and around the harbour even though there was no security threat as of now.

With the security arrangements being made in vital and sensitive installations including seaports were assuming new dimensions in the advent of drones, the V. O. C. Port was also putting in place adequate security arrangements against unmanned aerial vehicles entering the skies over the port.

However, he refused to elaborate about the anti-drone security arrangements being made in and around the V. O. C. Port.

“We are taking this step as a precautionary measure,” Mr. Purohit said.

When asked about the delay in commencing outer harbour development works for increasing the draft from 14 meter to 18 meter inside the harbour and along the canal leading to the Port to facilitate the handling of larger ships, the Chairman said the V. O. C. Port was revamping the detailed project report on outer harbour development as no firm came forward to execute the work even after two tenders were floated in the past. “Once the detailed project report is ready within another six months, fresh tender will be floated for handpicking the successful bidder to execute the outer harbour development,” he said.

Mr. Purohit also informed that the officials of HD Hyundai, a global shipbuilding giant, had visited the site selected for the proposed shipbuilding yard.

After signing a MoU with the State Government in this connection, 1,000 acres of land has been identified for this mega project and another 800 acre is also available in adjacent areas which can be used for possible expansion in future.

“Shipbuilders of South Korea and Japan are eager to invest in this venture,” he said.

Mr. Purohit informed that the V. O. C. Port which commissioned North Cargo Berths 2 and 3 and 9^th berth in 2025 in a record time was actively mechanising the North Cargo Berth 3 to augment cargo handling while the construction of the 10^th berth had gathered momentum.