FCC

By 2030, India aims to be the world's leading shipbuilding nation

2023-03-25

According to Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, India aims to become the global hub of Green Ship Building by 2030. He stated at the launch of the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) that the center has set a target for the first Green Tugs to begin operations in all Major Ports by 2025.

A Major Port is one that is administered by the Union Shipping Ministry, whereas a Tug (also known as a Tugboat) is a vessel used to maneuver ships into port berths.

The program will begin with 'Green Hybrid Tugs,' powered by Green Hybrid Propulsion systems, and will progress to non-fossil fuel solutions (like Methanol, Ammonia, and Hydrogen). "At least half of all Tugs are likely to be converted into Green Tugs by 2030, significantly reducing emissions as the country moves toward achieving sustainable development," he said.

Sonowal also inaugurated India's first Green Port and Shipping Centre of Excellence (NCoEGPS).

According to an official statement, the NCoEGPS will be the industry's Nodal entity, with the goal of making India the global hub for building Green Ships by 2030.

The NCoEGPS will work on ten critical projects, including creating a regulatory framework for wind energy use in marine applications and identifying a suitable biofuel for blending with conventional marine fuels. It will also work to develop a regulatory framework for the transportation of hydrogen up to 700 bar pressure and identify a fuel cell technology for long-distance shipping.

Furthermore, the NCoEGPS will prepare detailed project reports on low energy consumption ports, as well as an offshore platform for harnessing solar energy, producing, storing, and utilizing green hydrogen.