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Automated gates expected to cut truck congestion at Chennai port

INDIA's Port of Chennai has set up radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology for gate operations to complete gate processes quicker.

The development is expected to reduce wait times for truck drivers outside the terminals.

The move follows a recent government decree calling on all major port authorities to work towards deployment of automated gate systems in order to improve productivity and speed cargo flows.

It is expected cut the time it takes to exit or enter a terminal gate from five minutes to one-and-a-half to two minutes, reported IHS Media.

In a trade advisory, Chennai Port Trust said the new system has been introduced after a significant amount of planning and coordination with customs, terminals and other stakeholders.

"This (RFID tag) will reduce the check-in/out time at the gates and enable ease of doing business by elimination of paperwork with minimal manual intervention," CPT was cited as saying.

Heavy traffic congestion is said to have cost the public port dearly with several carriers, including Maersk Line, shifting their weekly calls to nearby privately-operated cargo terminals, such as Kattupalli and Krishnapatnam, in recent months.

The port has refurbished the port approach road, added officials and police to regulate truck flow, open a "document screening centre" to prevent trucks without papers from joining the queue and introducing rail incentives to lure shippers away from trucks.

"The efforts taken by Chennai Port and the terminals have already reduced the congestion by half. The implementation of this RFID enabled access system will further greatly reduce the congestion and trailer queues," CPT said.