India aims to become a global hub for green shipbuilding by 2030 and is launching a Green Tug Transition Programme as part of the strategy.
The programme was announced in late March by India’s Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) Ayush Shri Sarbananda SonowaI while inaugurating India’s first National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) in Gurugram, Haryana.
The country’s major shipbuilder Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) Kochi is already making significant progress in the construction of environmentally friendly ships, propelled by fuel cells and hydrogen
According to the minister, the programme will start with green hybrid tugs which will be powered by green hybrid propulsion systems and subsequently adopt non-fossil fuel solutions like methanol, ammonia and hydrogen.
The target has been set for the initial green tugs to start working in all major ports by 2025. At least, 50% of all the tugs are likely to be converted into green tugs by 2030, helping the country considerably reduce emissions as it moves towards achieving sustainable development.
The National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping is expected to serve as a hub for collaboration, bringing together experts, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to drive regulatory framework, sustainable practices and accelerate the growth of green shipping in the country.
Making India’s ports and shipping more environmentally friendly is seen as an important part of the country’s quest to become carbon-neutral by 2070.
The effort is part of Maritime Vision Document 2030, released by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Mod, a ten-year blueprint for India’s vision of a sustainable maritime sector and vibrant blue economy.
The PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan for Multi-Modal Connectivity along with the Green Ports initiative has already accelerated the development of green logistics supply chain in the country. The country’s ports aim to cut carbon emissions per ton of cargo handled by 30% by 2030