Legacy Meets Innovation: How Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port is Transforming into a Future-Ready Maritime Hub

With a legacy spanning over 150 years, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMP Kolkata), remains a vital anchor in India’s maritime ecosystem, balancing heritage with forward-looking innovation. In an exclusive interview, Samrat Rahi, Deputy Chairperson, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, highlights how the port is undergoing a major transformation across infrastructure, technology, sustainability, and trade facilitation. From digitising operations with SAP and RFID-enabled systems to launching pioneering infrastructure projects like an underwater tunnel under the Hooghly River, SMP Kolkata is reimagining its role as a modern, multimodal logistics gateway. With ambitious goals aligned with the Maritime India Vision 2030, Sagarmala, and the National Logistics Policy, the port is not only addressing age-old challenges like draft limitations and ageing infrastructure but also leading by example in green initiatives and regional integration.


How is Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port leveraging technology to enhance port operations and efficiency?

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP Kolkata), with a legacy of over 150 years, is a prime example of blending heritage with innovation. The port is undergoing a major digital transformation to modernise operations, improve efficiency, and establish itself as a future-ready logistics hub.

A SAP-based system is streamlining workflows and manpower deployment, while the Port Community System (PCS 1x) enhances coordination among stakeholders, reducing dwell times. At the Haldia Dock Complex, berth mechanisation and RFID-enabled gate automation are improving cargo handling and truck movement. A Gate Appointment System and digital weighbridges ensure smooth, contactless logistics.

Real-time vessel tracking through the Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) across a 232-km navigational channel improves safety, with plans for night navigation underway. The port also uses GIS mapping and satellite imagery for land monitoring, supporting its land monetisation strategy through automated lease systems.

Sustainability is a core focus, with initiatives like shore power, cleaner logistics, and energy-efficient equipment. Integration with container tracking and the National Logistics Portal – Marine (NLP-Marine) is also progressing.

SMP Kolkata is not just adapting to technology—it is leading digital change, becoming a smart, sustainable maritime gateway aligned with India’s logistics and maritime visions.


Are there any upcoming infrastructure development projects aimed at improving port capacity and connectivity?

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP Kolkata), with its rich legacy, is undergoing a major infrastructure overhaul to expand cargo handling and redefine hinterland connectivity. Central to this transformation is the modernisation and mechanisation of all operational berths under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Key projects include the DBFOT-based mechanisation of Berth No. 5 at Haldia and the ₹800+ crore reconstruction of Berths 7 and 8 at Netaji Subhash Dock, which will boost container capacity from 0.65 to 1 million TEUs.

To improve connectivity, the port is developing an underwater tunnel beneath the Hooghly River, alongside an elevated corridor linking to National Highways, enabling faster cargo movement and easing city traffic. SMP Kolkata is also leveraging its land bank for industrial parks, warehousing, hospitality, and riverfront redevelopment, creating economic and cultural value while generating employment.

At Haldia, multimodal connectivity is reinforced through dedicated railway sidings, NH-116 access, and integration with National Waterway-1. Under the Sagarmala Programme, the port is part of 62 infrastructure projects worth ₹16,300 crore in West Bengal, aligned with Maritime India Vision 2030.

SMP Kolkata is not just expanding—it is transforming into a modern, multi-dimensional logistics hub, poised to lead Eastern India’s maritime growth.


What measures is the port taking to promote environmental sustainability and reduce its carbon footprint?

At Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP Kolkata), environmental sustainability is a core operational priority, not just a regulatory requirement. As one of India’s oldest ports—comprising the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and Haldia Dock Complex (HDC)—we are committed to balancing development with ecological responsibility, in line with the Maritime India Vision 2030.

Under our Green Port Initiative, over 30% green coverage has been achieved across more than 3,000 acres, with ongoing landscaping and plantation drives enhancing our ecological footprint. We are also moving toward 100% renewable energy usage. A 5 MW solar plant is currently under installation, with plans to scale up to 10 MW. Additionally, we are exploring green hydrogen integration to reduce fossil fuel dependence.

To improve energy efficiency, SMP Kolkata has fully transitioned to LED lighting and energy-saving systems. We are also considering shore-to-ship power supply and green tugs to cut emissions from berthed vessels and navigation operations.

Operational sustainability is being strengthened through the mechanisation of key berths at Haldia Dock Complex (HDC), which reduces truck movement, idle time, and airborne pollutants. Dust suppression systems and enclosed conveyors further control emissions in coal and dry bulk handling.

In waste and water management, we have established Sewage and Water Treatment Plants for clean water use and disposal. We also use plastic waste, fly ash, and industrial by-products in infrastructure, promoting circular economy practices.

SMP Kolkata’s approach is holistic and forward-looking—from clean energy and pollution control to sustainable land use and water conservation. We aim not just to comply with environmental standards, but to set them. With a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability, SMP Kolkata is working to become a model Green Port in India and a leader in sustainable port operations in South Asia.

How is the port supporting India’s growing trade and logistics sector, and what role does it play in international trade?

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata—comprising the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and Haldia Dock Complex (HDC)—is a vital pillar of India’s trade and logistics network, especially for the eastern and northeastern regions. As the country’s only operational riverine major port, it offers strategic access to landlocked states like Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal, and serves as a key maritime gateway for Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Bangladesh.

Handling over 65 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo annually, the port supports a wide range of economic sectors with shipments including coal, petroleum, containers, breakbulk, and project cargo. Capacity is being expanded through PPP-based mechanisation and the development of new terminals at Salukhali and Balagarh.

The port’s seamless multimodal connectivity—via rail, road, and inland waterways—enables efficient last-mile delivery and cost-effective logistics. Its link to National Waterway 1, under the Jal Marg Vikas Project, provides an eco-friendly option for bulk transport. Innovations like Ship-to-Ship (STS) cargo transfer and floating cranes ensure uninterrupted operations even in draft-constrained conditions.

On the global front, the port is boosting its container handling at KDS to 1 million TEUs, aiming to become a transshipment hub for the Bay of Bengal. Digitalisation, streamlined cargo documentation, and port-led incentives are making it increasingly competitive and investment-friendly.

As India’s economy grows, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port is evolving into a future-ready, globally integrated maritime hub, strengthening eastern trade corridors and facilitating cross-border commerce across South Asia.

What are the biggest challenges the port is currently facing, and how is your team addressing them?

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMP Kolkata), a legacy port navigating modern trade demands, faces unique challenges tied to its geography and historical infrastructure. Chief among these is the natural draft limitation of the Hooghly River, which restricts the entry of large vessels. This constraint reduces the port’s ability to attract deep-draft bulk carriers and container ships, often requiring lighterage and transshipment, raising overall logistics costs.

Despite this, SMP Kolkata remains strategically vital, particularly on India’s eastern coast, where deep-sea port alternatives are scarce, especially in West Bengal. Serving as a key gateway for the North-East and landlocked nations like Nepal and Bhutan, the port plays a pivotal role in India’s Act East Policy. To address the river’s constraints, the port has adopted a multi-pronged approach: ongoing dredging with the Inland Waterways Authority of India, ship-to-ship (STS) cargo transfers at deep-draft locations like Sagar, and the use of floating/mobile harbour cranes at anchorage for efficient cargo handling.

Aging infrastructure at the Kolkata Dock System presents another hurdle. To modernise, the port is undertaking major upgrades, such as mechanising Berths 7 and 8 and expanding container handling under the PPP model, enhancing both capacity and operational efficiency.

Coordination among diverse stakeholders, including customs, shipping lines, and transport providers, is also a challenge. To streamline operations, SMP Kolkata is implementing digital solutions like PCS 1x, RFID-enabled gates, and paperless cargo clearance. These steps have already improved transparency and turnaround times.

Environmental sustainability is a core priority. Through its Green Port Initiatives, the port is integrating renewable energy, expanding green coverage, and adopting sustainable infrastructure practices to align growth with ecological responsibility.

Despite longstanding challenges, SMP Kolkata’s response is robust—anchored in modernisation, innovation, and regional connectivity. With strategic foresight and a strong sustainability focus, the port is steadily transforming into a future-ready maritime hub while reinforcing its indispensable role in India’s trade ecosystem.

How do government policies and regulatory frameworks impact the port’s operations and future growth plans?

Government policies and regulatory frameworks play a crucial role in shaping the operational and strategic direction of SMP Kolkata. Operating under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, the port aligns with key national initiatives such as the Maritime India Vision 2030, Sagarmala Programme, National Logistics Policy, and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. These policies guide infrastructure upgrades, digital transformation, sustainability, and operational efficiency across both the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and Haldia Dock Complex (HDC).

One transformative policy focus has been the revival of National Waterways, especially NW-1 (Ganga) and NW-2 (Brahmaputra). SMP Kolkata plays a proactive role in operationalising these inland routes, which are expected to reduce logistics costs, decongest roadways, and promote green transport to the North-East.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) have further empowered the port to modernise infrastructure through the DBFOT model. Projects such as berth mechanisation, container terminal upgrades, and port-led industrialisation have benefited from private investment and expertise, with government oversight ensuring accountability and strategic alignment.

Policy-driven digitalisation has significantly improved operational efficiency. The implementation of PCS 1x, RFID-enabled systems, and paperless cargo processing has streamlined workflows and enhanced the port-user experience.

Sustainability is another key focus. National policy promoting green shipping, Make in India, and indigenous technologies has guided SMP Kolkata’s environmental initiatives. The port has achieved over 30% green coverage, integrated renewable energy sources, adopted waste-to-infrastructure practices, and leased over 100 acres for shipbuilding and repair to support eco-friendly maritime activity.
In essence, progressive government policies have served as both a compass and catalyst, positioning SMP Kolkata as a modern, multimodal, and sustainable logistics hub in Eastern India, aligned with the country’s long-term maritime and economic vision.

What is your long-term vision for Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, and how do you see it evolving in the next decade?

My long-term vision for Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata—comprising the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and Haldia Dock Complex (HDC)—is to transform it into a smart, sustainable, and globally competitive trade hub that anchors India’s eastern maritime ambitions and sets a benchmark in the Bay of Bengal region.

Over the next decade, we aim to double cargo handling capacity from 65 to over 100 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) annually through infrastructure modernisation, berth mechanisation, and improved multimodal connectivity with National Waterway 1 (NW-1), rail, and road networks.

Technology is central to this transformation, with automation, RFID-based tracking, paperless documentation, and predictive cargo systems enabling faster, more efficient operations.

Sustainability is equally crucial. Our Green Port Initiatives will evolve into a full decarbonisation plan—including solar power, shore-to-ship energy, and electrified cargo equipment—ensuring responsible growth aligned with global climate goals.
Beyond logistics, we are unlocking port land for industrial use and spearheading the revitalisation of the Kolkata and Howrah riverfronts into vibrant tourism and heritage zones.
In essence, SMP Kolkata is evolving into a multifunctional economic engine—seamlessly blending trade, technology, sustainability, and urban renewal to emerge as Eastern India’s most future-ready maritime gateway.