India to develop hydrogen hubs at three major ports under Green Shipping Initiative

The Ministry of Shipping has announced plans to develop two ports on the east coast and one on the west coast of India as hydrogen hubs under the Green Shipping Initiative. This initiative is part of the Maritime India Vision 2030, which aims to make the Indian maritime sector sustainable by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the share of renewable energy to 60% of the total power demand of each major port. The ports in Paradip (Odisha), Deendayal (Gujarat), and V.O.Chidambaranar (Tamil Nadu) will be developed as green hydrogen generation hubs to support the country's hydrogen production targets by 2030.

To achieve its sustainability goals, the ministry has already taken steps to develop green ports. These ports will prioritize cutting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing carbon emissions per ton of cargo handled by 30% by 2030. In November 2022, the ministry launched the National Centre of Excellence for Green Port and Shipping to help major Indian ports source up to 60% of their energy demand from clean sources like solar and wind.

The government plans to make the ports carbon-free by setting up renewable energy generation projects, acquiring equipment to monitor environmental pollution, developing dust suppression and garbage disposal systems for sewage treatment plants in ports and ships, and creating shore reception facilities for wastes from ships. These steps are expected to make Indian ports environmentally friendly and sustainable.