Indian government releases Green Port Guidelines
By on May 22, 2023
Ammonia bunkering at all Major Ports by 2035
India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has released new guidelines for port development, operations and maintenance in the country. As part of a push to reduce the environmental impacts of India’s thirteen Major Ports (twelve government and one privately owned), the Ministry has mandated the use of renewable energy in port operations, as well as the development of storage, handling and bunkering capabilities for future maritime fuels. The Major Ports are encouraged to use these new guidelines in order to draw up comprehensive action plans that demonstrate clear emission reductions over specific timelines.
In order to implement these changes, a range of measures is outlined. Amongst other future fuels, ammonia is included in a section on port crafts, with a specific stipulation that ammonia bunker facilities will be established at all Major Ports by 2035:
(i) Ports shall make efforts to retrofit Port Crafts (including Tugs, Pilot Boats,
Section 4.3 of “Harit Sagar”: Green Port Guidelines, Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (May 2023)
Mooring Boats, Survey Boats etc.) with available technology for propulsion on
cleaner and greener fuel viz., Green Ammonia, Green Hydrogen (through Fuel
Cell), Green Methanol etc in phased manner.
(ii) Ports shall make an action plan and implement the projects to achieve the targets
set for the Ports / Port Crafts in the “National Green Hydrogen Mission”, including
creation of infrastructure at select Ports for storage, bunkering and refueling of
Green Hydrogen and its derivative, within the targeted timelines.
(iii) Green Ammonia bunkers and refueling facilities shall be established at all Major
Ports by 2035.
The guidelines also mention that all Indian ports should establish one LNG bunkering station by 2030. Decarbonisation of India’s ports falls within national commitments outlined at COP26 in Glasgow. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has a publicly stated goal of reducing carbon emissions per tonne of cargo handled 30% by 2030, and 70% by 2047.
