Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal with Susanta Kumar Purohit, Chairperson, VOC Port Authority, and other dignitaries during the release of the VOCPA Sustainability Report 2026 and MoU signing with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya at Transport Bhawan, New Delhi, on June 23, 2026. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

The V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority in Thoothukudi on Tuesday launched PortGPT, a dedicated mobile application aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, knowledge management and data-driven decision-making, becoming the VOC port the first major port in India to deploy an enterprise-grade generative Artificial Intelligence platform through a mobile app.

The application was launched by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, in Delhi, according to a release.

PortGPT is expected to improve access to information, streamline workflows and support the port’s long-term digital transformation initiatives.

VOC Port highlighted as model for sustainable maritime development

Speaking at the event, Sonowal said VOC Port has emerged as a model for sustainable maritime development in India, citing its progress in decarbonisation, renewable energy adoption and green infrastructure.

The Minister dedicated a series of sustainability, education and innovation initiatives at the port and highlighted findings from its first Sustainability Report. According to the report, renewable energy now offsets nearly 94 per cent of the port’s energy-consumption equivalent, while net carbon emissions have been reduced by around 45 per cent.

The report also noted that carbon intensity per tonne of cargo has fallen by nearly 50 per cent over the last four years, strengthening VOC Port’s position as a leader in India’s green maritime transition.

Green transition gains momentum with major sustainability milestones

VOC Port is demonstrating what can be achieved when infrastructure development is guided by sustainability, innovation and community welfare. The achievement of reducing net carbon emissions by 45 per cent is a significant milestone in India’s journey towards greener and more responsible maritime growth, Sonowal said.

He added that the initiatives align with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to build modern, sustainable and future-ready infrastructure while investing in people, technology and environmental stewardship.

IIM Calcutta case study released; MoU signed for maritime excellence

During the event, the Minister also released an academic case study titled The Hydrogen Pivot: Orchestrating the Green Transition at VOC Port, prepared by the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta. The study documents the port’s transformation from a conventional cargo hub into a green energy and sustainable maritime centre.

In another key initiative, VOC Port Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya to collaborate on research, innovation, logistics education, skill development and sustainable port operations.

The partnership is expected to facilitate the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Maritime Logistics and Port Management and create new opportunities for industry-academia collaboration, according to an official release.

Published on June 23, 2026