Green Shipping Corridor Between VOC, Kandla Ports Gathers Momentum.

Efforts to establish India's first coastal green shipping corridor, connecting V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port in Tamil Nadu with Deendayal Port in Kandla, Gujarat, are accelerating following recent high-level discussions. This pioneering initiative will see the deployment of ships powered by methanol, operated by the state-owned Shipping Corporation of India.

Both ports are actively undertaking measures to support the operationalization of this green corridor and accelerate maritime decarbonisation.

Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) has been particularly proactive. In a key development in February, DPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bapu’s Shipping for the provision of Bio-Methanol Bunkering Services. Further demonstrating its commitment to green fuels, Deendayal Port recently joined the Methanol Institute. According to Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of Deendayal Port, this membership will provide the port with enhanced opportunities to collaborate with methanol producers, suppliers, vessel operators, regulators, and other stakeholders, fostering partnerships to accelerate the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.

On the southern end of the corridor, VOC Port is also making significant strides in developing green energy infrastructure. The port has earmarked a substantial 501 acres of land dedicated to the establishment of green hydrogen manufacturing and storage facilities. This initiative has already attracted projected investments totaling ₹41,860 crore from prominent companies including ACME Green Hydrogen & Chemicals, Green Infra Renewable Energy Farms Pvt. Ltd. (Sembcorp), Amplus Ganges Solar Pvt. Ltd., and Renew E-Fuels Pvt. Ltd. Through these strategic developments, VOC Port is positioning itself as a major hub in the burgeoning green hydrogen economy, crucial for supporting green shipping initiatives.

The progress on this green shipping corridor signifies India's commitment to adopting cleaner fuel alternatives in its maritime transport sector, setting a precedent for sustainable logistics in the country.