India Sets Sights on Green Shipbuilding Goals with Green Tug Transition Programme

Govt to Offer Subsidies to Build Ships that Employ Offshore Wind Projects

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) and Ayush Sarbananda SonowaI has said that India has set its sights on becoming the global hub for green shipbuilding by 2030. Towards this goal, the minister launched Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP). He also inaugurated the country’s first National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) in Gurugram, Haryana.

The programme will kickstart with ‘Green Hybrid Tugs’. Under this, Green Hybrid Propulsion systems will be adopted. Non-fossil fuel solutions like Methanol, Ammonia, Hydrogen will also take precdence over fossil fuels. The minister revealed that initially, Green Tugs are to be operational in all major ports by year 2025. Further, by 2030, at least 50% of all the Tugs will hopefully be converted into Green Tugs.

Initiatives towards green shipbuilding

With such aims in sight, Sonowal added that he hoped that the country will become the global hub of green shipbuilding by 2030.

It may be noted that under PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan for Multi Modal Connectivity, a major push is being given to establishing green logistics supply chain in India. The ports are also looking to bring down carbon emissions for every ton of cargo by 30% by 2030. Also, India is the first country under the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) Green Voyage 2050 project to take over a pilot project on green shipping.

Hydrogen Hubs

Paradip Port, Deendayal Port and V.O. Chidambaram Port have been identified by the ministry for the development of Hydrogen Hubs. With such impetus being given, India will be poised for the export of Green Hydrogen.

Wind energy & solar energy in maritime

At present, of the ten significant projects being undertaken, one is on the development of a regulatory framework aimed at the employment of wind energy in maritime. Further, extensive project reports shedding details on low energy consumption port will be developed. At the same time, an offshore platform will also be introduced to enable the tapping of solar energy with storage.