As part of improving the existing communication systems and channels used for monitoring ship movements, the Beypore port will purchase one more marine VHF (very high frequency) set and nine new walkie-talkies shortly.

As of now, there are four VHF sets and four walkie-talkies for communication between the port and the ships. More equipment is needed in view of the promotion of national and international cargo movement through the port. Authorities said the port would spend ₹4.5 lakh for the purchase of new equipment.

Port officials said VHF sets with a capacity to cover a distance of about 11 nautical miles were needed for sending distress or safety communication to the ships. Coast Guard liaison, port operations, maritime control, pilotage and weather alerts too could be improved with the better vessel traffic support system, they said.

The authorities had recently introduced a lot of new safety monitoring arrangements to comply with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code, an essential regulation for ensuring the safety of ships, crew, and cargo.

Though the Fisheries Department too had sought the replacement of its old VHF system at the Beypore fisheries station to improve emergency communication, officials said it remaining unattended for more than two years. The demand was made as most fishers were found extremely dependent on mobile communication during emergency times.