Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) has said India aims at becoming ‘Global Hub for Green Ship’ building by 2030 with launch of Green Tug Transition Programme(GTTP).
- Inaugurating India’s first National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) in Gurugram, Haryana on March 22 he said the programme will start with ‘Green Hybrid Tugs’, which will be powered by Green Hybrid Propulsion systems, and subsequently adopting non-fossil fuel solutions like (Methanol, Ammonia, Hydrogen).
- The Minister said 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, which will considerably reduce emission as the country move towards achieving sustainable development.
National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS)
- Country’s first National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) is the result of a collaboration between the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Government of India and the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
- With the NCoEGPS acting as the Nodal entity for the industry, the plan is afoot to make India as the ‘Global hub for building Green Ships’ by 2030.
- With these initiatives, the Centre is aimed at playing a crucial role towards achievement of UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 14) to sustainably manage and protect marine & coastal ecosystems from pollution, conservation & sustainable use of ocean based resources.
- The centre – housed within the TERI complex in Gurugram – will work towards meeting the obligations under the Paris Agreement.
Other initiatives
- 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 ports have also aimed to reduce Carbon emissions per ton of cargo handled by 30% by 2030.
- The Maritime Vision Document 2030, released by Prime Minister is a 10 Year blueprint on India’s vision of a sustainable Maritime sector and vibrant blue economy. India has been selected as the first country under the IMO Green Voyage 2050 project to conduct a pilot project related to Green Shipping.
- The ministry has already identified Paradip Port, Deendayal Port and V.O. Chidambaram Port to developed as Hydrogen Hubs – capable of handling, storing and generation of green hydrogen by 2030.
- With the development of these infrastructure, India will be able to export Green Hydrogen, produced in the country using renewable sources, with the support of NCoEGPS in technology and market leadership.
