India Sets Ambitious Goals To Transform Its Inland And Coastal Waterway Transport

The shipping secretary, T. K. Ramachandran, stated that India aims to switch to renewable energy for all its inland and coastal waterway transport within five years. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry hosted the occasion at which Ramachandran delivered his speech.

According to government estimates, less than 10% of India’s significant ports currently use renewable energy. To strengthen its efforts, India intends to add over 5,000 vessels to its current fleet of about 1,500 over the next ten years. Prime Minister Modi’s recent introduction of the nation’s first hydrogen-powered ferry is a significant step toward more environmentally friendly shipping methods. Globally, the shipping industry accounts for around 3% of total CO2 emissions.

India’s efforts to lessen its carbon footprint help the country achieve its objectives and support the International Maritime Organization in reaching its goal of reducing ship greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by the year 2050 compared to 2008 levels. India, the third-largest economy in the world, intends to create a Maritime Development Fund to quicken the shift to environmentally friendly shipping.

According to R Lakshmanan, a joint secretary in the federal shipping ministry, this fund aims to support the production of environmentally friendly ships and ports. Later this year, the government plans to announce the fund’s creation formally. India plans to build green hydrogen hubs at Thoothukudi, Paradip, and Kandla, which are three essential ports. New Delhi has set an ambitious production target of 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen per year by 2030, which is a big step toward sustainable energy use.

According to these plans, the government wants to use renewable energy sources to make all river and coastal ports in inland waterways “completely green” in five years. Ramachandran highlighted the significance of this objective, especially in regions governed by India, such as interior and coastal waterways. The Amrit Kaal plan, introduced by Prime Minister Modi, specifies that all major ports in the nation must switch to renewable energy by 2047. The ports that have been identified, namely Tuticorin, Paradip, and Kandla, will function as green hydrogen production pilots.

Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission in February, the government issued instructions for green hydrogen pilot projects in the shipping sector. These initiatives seek to build bunkering and refuelling facilities for green hydrogen-based fuels and modify ships to use green hydrogen.

The Shipping Corporation of India has set aside Rs 80 crore to support the initiative to allow older ships to run on methanol. Ramachandran emphasized that this conversion process is presently carried out on several ships. India’s all-encompassing strategy for environmentally friendly shipping demonstrates its dedication to sustainability and fits nicely with international efforts to combat climate change.

Reference: Reuters

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