Gujarat, Tamil Nadu ports plan to build hydrogen hubs

With the VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port in Tamil Nadu and the Deendayal Port in Gujarat are ready to construct hydrogen hubs, India's efforts to introduce hydrogen as a fuel have gained speed. According to authorities informed of the issue, the shipping ministry has requested that these two ports purchase hydrogen-powered "green tug" boats, which are used to herd large ships into berths. The Cochin Shipyard is well along in the development of hydrogen-powered green tugboats.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Paradip Port, VOC Port, and the Deendayal Port will each purchase two green tugs under the green tug transition initiative. In order to accelerate the switch to green fuel, hydrogen hubs will also be established at the VOC and Deendayal ports.

Additionally, by 2027, the Centre hopes to have two Indian ships running on green hydrogen or its derivative fuels. According to officials, this will be followed by the addition of at least two ships using green fuels each year. These initiatives are in keeping with India's ambitions, outlined in the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines 2023, to decarbonize its ports.

The guidelines' goal is to achieve zero waste discharge from port operations by promoting "reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle" initiatives. They also aim to minimise waste and encourage monitoring based on environmental performance indicators.

The Green Ports Policy provides the door for fleet owners to receive incentives for switching to LNG, CNG, electric, or environmentally friendly hydrogen-powered trucks. The action aims to lessen the amount of emissions at significant ports.