Posted on October 14, 2024
India is investing USD 25 million in developing hydrogen hubs at key ports as part of its green shipping initiative, said Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi during his keynote address at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference in Germany.
He further stated that ports such as Deendayal, Paradip, and V.O. Chidambaranar are being developed into key hydrogen hubs with bunkering and refuelling facilities to support green hydrogen-powered ships.
Additionally, the government is investing USD 14 million in pilot projects under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) and are already exploring the use of green hydrogen in the shipping sector. “We are focusing on converting existing vessels to operate on green hydrogen or its derivatives. The Shipping Corporation of India is currently converting two vessels to run on green methanol,” the Minister explained.
NGHM, launched with an outlay of USD 2.4 billion, aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen annually by 2030, attracting over USD 100 billion in investments and creating more than six lakh jobs.
Joshi emphasised the crucial role of the maritime sector in global trade and its impact on greenhouse gas emissions. He stated, “As we progress towards achieving net-zero emissions, the necessity for sustainable maritime transport has become very important. India is making significant strides in the green shipping sector, driven by government initiatives, technological advancements, and international collaborations.”
The Minister detailed how Indian shipyards are being modernised and older dockyards are being evaluated for reopening to expand green shipbuilding capacity. “India is becoming a promising hub for green shipbuilding,” he noted, citing the government’s strong emphasis on alternative fuels and renewable energy sources like biofuels and wind power.
India is upgrading its port infrastructure to support green shipping fuels and vessels using hybrid models, with the goal of ranking among the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047.
Joshi also invited international stakeholders to collaborate in India’s ambitious green hydrogen and renewable energy projects.
He further informed that India has witnessed a transformative increase in its renewable energy capacity since 2014, with a 175 percent rise from 75 GW to over 208 GW. Solar energy capacity has also grown 33 times in the last 10 years.
“India’s embrace of innovative technologies, investment in robust infrastructure, and cultivation of international cooperation have elevated us from a mere participant to a leading force in this global transition,” concluded Joshi.
