India Aims To Take The Lead In Green Shipping

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also laid the foundation of the country’s first green hydrogen hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission at Pudimadaka in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh. The project will be jointly developed by NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and the New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP).

“This project underscores India’s commitment to clean energy while ensuring economic growth and environmental sustainability,” Modi said while inaugurating this mega project. Another green hydrogen hub is now set to be developed by VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi.  

Earlier, Modi said the government aims to position India as a global hub for production, utilisation and export of green hydrogen. As part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in 2023, the thrust will be on innovation and building infrastructure.

T K Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, told The Secretariat that the government will take all necessary measures to ensure that India takes the lead in green shipping. The Centre has set a target of achieving 60 per cent of energy required to run ports from renewables by 2030, and 90 per cent by 2047.

“Our port authorities are working towards it and we have been steadily making progress. Several have already attained the 100 per cent level,” Ramachandran said, adding the target will be achieved. At present, it is at 23 per cent. By 2027, the target is to take it to 50 per cent.

Several countries have embarked on an exercise to boost green shipping and augment the decarbonisation programme of the maritime industry.

Shipping, the lifeline of global trade, is at present primarily dependent on fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas. According to the International Energy Agency, in 2022 international shipping accounted for about 2 per cent of greenhouse carbon emissions. 

New Mangalore Port, Deendayal, Kamarajar, VO Chidambaranar and Vishakhapatnam Port have already achieved 100 per cent, as per official data. Mormugao Port Authority, which operates the port in Goa is at 70 per cent, while Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is at 65 per cent.  

Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and Chennai Port Authority (CPA), however, have less than 20 per cent of renewable generation.

“We want to take the lead in green shipping as this is relatively a new area,” Ramachandran said.

Globally, the Green Shipping Programme (GSP) was established in January 2015, earlier, known as the Green Coastal Shipping Programme. “This is a relatively new vertical and our focus will be on strengthening this,” he said.  

India is also expanding the green corridor, a designated shipping trade route with zero-emission fuels and technologies. “The execution of the green corridor is already underway on 3,900 acres of land, of which 3000 acres will be in Kandla and the rest in Tuticorin.

India and Singapore have joined hands for a collaboration on a green energy corridor with a thrust on green hydrogen, shipping along with manufacturing.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has embarked on an exercise of aggregating the gap between demand and supply in its shipping requirements amid increased geopolitical and geo-economic risks and uncertainties. At present, 90 per cent of India’s cargo is shipped on foreign vessels.