Under the Green Shipping initiative as part of the Maritime India vision 2030, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways will develop 3 major Indian ports as hydrogen hubs.
Sarabananda Sonowal, the union minister of Ports and Shipping said that the Pradip Port in Odisha, Deendayal Port in Gujarat and V.O. Chidambarar Port in Tamil Nadu will be developed for handling, storage and green hydrogen generation to cater to the nation’s hydrogen production goals by 2030.
The ministry has already initiated the process to develop green ports which will prioritize cutting greenhouse gas emissions to make the Indian maritime sector sustainable.
Sarbananda Sonowal said ‘‘The Ministry for Ports, Shipping and Waterways intends to increase the share of renewable energy to 60% of the total power demand of each of its major Ports from a present share of less than 10%.The ports have also aimed to reduce Carbon emissions, per ton of cargo handled, by 30% by the year 2030. The Maritime Vision Document-2030, released by Prime Minister, is a 10 Year blueprint on India’s vision of a sustainable Maritime sector and vibrant blue economy’’.
The minister last year to help the major Indian ports source 60% of their energy demand from clean source like solar and wind, launched the National Centre of Excellence for Green port and Shipping.
To make the ports carbon-free, some of the steps taken by the government will include setting up of projects for energy generation from renewable energy source, acquisition of equipment to monitor environmental POLLUTION, acquisition of dust suppression system, setting up of garbage disposal systems for sewage treatment plants in orts and ships, and developing shore reception facility for wastes from ships.
In addition to this, the upgradation of major ports with feature like shore-to-ship power, use and promotion of electrically powered port equipment, storage, and bunkering facilities for eco-friendly fuels like hydrogen and ammonia have also been initiated by the ministry.
As per the Indian government, the nation will implement International Maritime organization-energy efficiency requirements for ships and carbon intensity requirements on all its coastal or international vessels to help achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets.
