Tamil Nadu Port Develops Enterprise AI Application built on BharatGPT

The V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, has launched PortGPT, a mobile application that uses generative AI for internal operations. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal launched the application in New Delhi. 

The port authority states that this makes VOC Port the first major port in India to deploy an enterprise generative AI platform through a mobile application.

PortGPT was developed by Sahana Systems Limited, using CoRover's platform, and runs on BharatGPT, a large language model developed in India. The application is intended to give port officials access to information, support internal workflows, and assist decision-making through a mobile interface. 

The port authority has linked the launch to the government's Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, a policy framework for port infrastructure development.

At the same event, the port authority presented data from its first sustainability report. According to the report, renewable energy now offsets close to 94% of the port's energy consumption, and net carbon emissions have fallen by around 45%. 

The company also states that carbon intensity per tonne of cargo has dropped by close to 50% over the past four years.

The Minister also released a case study titled The Hydrogen Pivot: Orchestrating the Green Transition at VOC Port, prepared by the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, which documents the port's shift toward renewable energy use.

Separately, the VOC Port Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya. The agreement covers research, logistics education, skill development, and the creation of a Centre of Excellence in Maritime Logistics and Port Management