The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) will bear 30% of the cost for green shipping initiatives to accelerate the green transition in the Indian shipping sector and bring efficiency via the digitization of port operations.

The ministry also announced that four state-owned ports, namely Jawaharlal Nehru Port, VO Chidambaranar Port, Paradip Port, and Deendayal Port, will procure two green tugboats each to expedite the Green Tug Transition Program.

Deendayal Port and VO Chidambaranar Port have been designated green hydrogen hubs, with comprehensive development plans to be implemented throughout the upcoming fiscal year.

Additionally, the ministry plans to introduce a streamlined single-window system to oversee river and sea cruises, enhancing efficiency and monitoring capabilities.

“It is a moment of satisfaction as we have been able to put together these five action areas during this ongoing ‘Chintan Shibir’ with a clear focus to promote green shipping and bringing efficiency via the digitization of port operations. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the ministry remains steadfast in its endeavor to become a global leader in the maritime sector. The initiatives announced will not only further this objective but also help us bring in more sustainable development in the maritime sector,” said Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Recently, Sonowal said two ports on India’s east coast and one port on the west coast would be developed by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways as hydrogen hubs as part of the Green Shipping Initiative.

Last November, the minister launched the National Center of Excellence for Green Port and Shipping to help major Indian ports source as much as 60% of their energy demand from clean sources like solar and wind.

The government has said India will implement International Maritime Organization energy efficiency and carbon intensity requirements for ships on all its coastal or international vessels to help achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets.