ChPA launches ‘Port Setu’ to digitise export container movement under ONOP initiative

Chennai Port Authority (ChPA) has launched ‘Port Setu’, an Intelligent Vehicle Monitoring System (IVMS) Phase I initiative developed by the National Association of Container Freight Stations (NACFS – Chennai Chapter), to digitise the monitoring of export container movement from Container Freight Stations (CFSs) to Chennai Port under the One Nation One Port (ONOP) framework, according to a release.

Event overview and formal launch

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 Indian ports.

Chennai Port Authority, in association with Chennai Customs, the 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 CFSs 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.

The Port Setu solution went live on September 17, 2026.

The system was formally launched on October 1, 2026 at the Chennai Port Board Room by Mr Sachin S. Kurve, IAS, Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority and KPL, in the presence of Dr Periasamy M., IRS, Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Chennai, Mr S. Sathyanarayanan, Chairman, NACFS (Chennai Chapter), Mr Karan Thakkar, Secretary, NACFS (Chennai Chapter), alongside representatives from the container terminals and officials of the Chennai Port Authority.

Stakeholder address and system impact

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sachin S. Kurve, IAS, Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority, congratulated all stakeholders for their joint efforts and coordination in implementing the system. He stated that Port Setu 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, said 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.

Mr 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 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 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, as per the release.

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