Maritime safety & surveillance: PQA signs contract with NRTC for installation of VTMS

KARACHI: Port Qasim Authority (PQA) has signed a landmark contract with the National Radio & Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) for the installation of a state-of-the-art Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS), in a move set to significantly bolster maritime safety and surveillance capabilities at one of Pakistan’s busiest seaports.

The agreement marks a major step forward in PQA’s ongoing modernization drive, introducing cutting-edge technology designed to strengthen navigational control and security across Port Qasim’s jurisdiction.

Under the contract, the new VTMS will be equipped with long-range high-definition cameras, modernized VTMS towers, and advanced radar technology capable of detecting even small crafts at considerable distances. The system will also feature integrated video and voice recording capabilities alongside real-time weather and tide data monitoring — tools that maritime authorities say will substantially improve situational awareness and operational decision-making.

“This initiative reflects PQA’s commitment to modernization, vigilance, and responsible stewardship of the nation’s maritime gateway,” said a PQA official statement, adding that the upgraded infrastructure would position the port as safer, smarter, and more aligned with international maritime compliance standards.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026