The government intends to increase the share of renewable energy at ports by 60 per cent in the next seven years
In order to lessen the nation's carbon impact, the government has said that green hydrogen bunkering and refuelling facilities would be built at all major ports by 2035. In its green port guidelines, "HaritSagar," the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) also said that ports must develop an action plan for building infrastructure at specific ports for the storage, bunkering, and refuelling of green hydrogen within the set deadlines. A bunkering operation involves moving cargo, sludge, or oil to and from a ship.
"Green Ammonia bunkers and refuelling facilities shall be established at all Major Ports by 2035," the guidelines said.
Sarbananda Sonowal, the minister of ports, shipping, and waterways, introduced the "HaritSagar" green port guidelines on Wednesday as part of attempts to accomplish the greater objective of generating zero carbon emissions.
"Ports shall make efforts to retrofit Port Crafts (including Tugs, Pilot Boats, Mooring Boats, Survey Boats etc.) with available technology for propulsion on cleaner and greener fuel viz., Green Ammonia, Green Hydrogen (through Fuel Cell), Green Methanol etc in phased manner," MoPSW said.
Deendayal (Kandla), Mumbai, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Ennore (Kamarajar), Tuticorin (V O Chidambaranar), Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Kolkata (including Haldia), and Jawaharlal Nehru Port are among India's 12 major ports. Additionally, the MoPSW emphasised that all ports must work to meet the renewable energy goal outlined in the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 and Blue Economy 2047 policies.
"Share of renewable energy at ports should exceed 60 per cent by the Year 2030 and 90 per cent by the year 2047," the ministry noted.
India has promised to achieve about 50% of its total installed capacity of electric power from non-fossil fuel-based energy sources by the year 2030 as part of its commitment to climate action at COP 26. India has also committed to reducing its emission intensity per unit GDP by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030. Additionally, MoPSW underlined that when developing PPP (Public Private Partnership) projects, ports must make sure that environmental and sustainability considerations are appropriately addressed in the DPR (Detailed Project Report).
"All truck operators who use the green fuel i.e. CNG/LNG/Hydrogen and its derivative or electric fleet may be identified and incentivized.," the ministry said, adding that ports shall establish at least one LNG bunkering station by the year 2030 and adequate number of EV charging stations in port campus or nearby area by the year 2025.
Ports should aim to retrofit or convert diesel-powered equipment, cranes, forklifts, pay loaders, trucks, etc. to electricity powered in a stepwise way by developing adequate plans, according to MoPSW. With a 95% share in trade volume and a 65% share in trade value, the maritime sector of the nation is essential to overall commerce and growth. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways' (MPSW) vision for the nation's marine industry, marine India Vision (MIV) 2030, aims to enhance the industry through coordinated initiatives.