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In a major initiative by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping towards providing greener solutions, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday announced India’s first National Centre of Excellence for Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS).
“The center aims to develop a regulatory framework and alternate technology adoption road map for Green Shipping to foster carbon neutrality and circular economy (CE) in the shipping sector in India,” the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said.
India through solar and wind-generated power 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%.
Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, “It is my immense pleasure to announce the establishment of India’s first center of excellence for Green Port & Shipping as a major attempt by the Ministry towards realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mission LiFE movement. As per the vision of PM Modi, this movement is going to be an India-led global movement for collective action to protect & preserve the Enviornment. This center is an important step towards this movement as it aims to transform ports and shipping turn more Environment friendly.“
The Deendayal Port Authority Kandla, Paradip Port Authority, Paradip, V.O Chidambaranar Port Authority, Thoothukudi, and Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi have all extended their support to the ministry to set up this center. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is the knowledge and implementation partner for this project.
Adding further on this, the Minister said, “This Centre will help on policy and regulatory support to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for developing regulatory framework and alternate technology adoption roadmap for Green Shipping to foster carbon neutrality and circular economy (CE) in the shipping sector in India. I thank all the stakeholders of this project for hedging their resources towards a very important aspect of the sector.”
The ports have set their eyes on reducing Carbon emissions per ton of cargo handled by 30% by 2030. The Maritime Vision Document 2030, released by PM Modi is a 10 Year blueprint on India’s vision of a sustainable Maritime sector and vibrant blue economy. India has been selected as the first country under the IMO Green Voyage 2050 project to conduct a pilot project related to Green Shipping.
