The Goa Mines and Geology department has made the automatic identification system (AIS) and vehicle tracking system (VTS) compulsory for all the ships carrying iron ore from state's jetties to the ports. The move is to arrest the instances of iron ore exports from the state using these ships, commonly known as barges.

Director of Mines and Geology Prasanna Acharya said that the AIS and VTS will help in tracking the movement of iron ore till its loading in the vessels, anchored at the ports.

Acharya has told the association of barge owners that no vessel would be allowed to transport the iron ore without installation of these systems.

Goa is the biggest exporter of iron ore, majority of which is shipped to China. The state has 300 mining leases of which 90 are operational.