Green Ports & Green Shipping in India

Green Ports & Green Shipping in India

Part of: Prelims and Mains GS-III: Infrastructure

In news: A number of initiatives have been taken in India to promote green ecosystem in maritime sector, in line with International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s 2030 Decarbonization strategy and 2050 Green House Gases (GHG) strategy. 

• Ministry is also working on draft of a “Green Port Policy” document to suggest framework and guidelines for incorporation of green initiatives in the port sector. 
• The proposed target outcomes will help India in achieving the “Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) target, as well as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2030 target.

Initiatives include

• Increase share of renewable energy to more than 60% across major ports by 2030,setting up of solar power plants, availing of shore power supply to vessels via berths,
• Multi-clean fuel adoption for vehicles within port ecosystem, 
• Gradual phasing out of diesel locomotives at ports
• Acquisition of equipments for monitoring environmental pollution, 
• Acquisition of dust suppression systems, 
• Setting up of sewage/ waste water treatment plants, 
• Setting up of garbage disposal system for ports and ships, 
• Developing shore reception facility for wastes from ships, 
• Setting up projects for energy generation from renewable energy sources, 
• Providing shore power to ships at berths, 
• Creating Oil Spill Response (Tier-1) capabilities at all ports, 
• Taking actions to improve harbour water quality, 
• Inclusion of sustainable practices in terminal design, development and operation, 
• Increasing green cover within port premises 

In order to enhance the share of Green Shipping, various projects are being implemented by Cochin Shipyard Ltd., India’s largest shipbuilding and maintenance facility– 

• Green urban mobility solutions like Hybrid Electric Ferries
• Autonomous Zero-emission vessels
• Pilot project on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Ferry, Electric Catamaran Water Taxi, Hybrid Electric Ro-Ro, Hybrid LNG-Electric Inland Cargo Carrier, Hybrid Tugs, etc.

The Way Forward

• Possibilities are also being explored for deployment of fully electric ferry and hydrogen fuelled ferries on Inland Waterways for enhancement of river cruise tourism in the country.
• Ports to take the Green Initiatives forward by putting dedicated proactive efforts towards greening of maritime sector including finalization of green port policy.

The pace at which the Green initiatives are undertaken by the 12 major ports will surely bring a green revolution in the sector making the ports cleaner and greener, which is also a key component of ‘Blue Economy’, creating environmental benefits and balancing the investments and cash flow.

News Source: PIB