Kandla is set to strengthen its role in India’s green shipping drive with the foundation stone laid for a Rs 2,300-crore e-methanol plant at Deendayal Port. The 150-tonne-per-day facility is expected to create more than 3,500 direct and indirect jobs and support the development of cleaner marine fuels, reported the Blunt Times.
The project is being developed as a joint venture between the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and Assam Petro-chemicals Ltd (APL). Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation stone at the DPA Exhibition Ground in Gandhidham. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal was also present.
Patel said the project would support India’s transition towards green energy by combining Gujarat’s maritime infrastructure with Assam’s industrial capabilities. He said the e-methanol facility would add momentum to the country’s green-energy ambitions.
Deendayal Port is being developed as a Green Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, with infrastructure planned for the production, storage, handling and transportation of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
The e-methanol project could also support the decarbonisation of the maritime sector by providing an alternative fuel for ships and reducing reliance on conventional fossil fuels.
Sarma described the facility as a major industrial partnership between Gujarat and Assam and said the project could be expanded to support the use of green methanol in both domestic and international shipping.
With a production capacity of 150 tonnes per day, the plant is expected to generate employment across engineering, logistics, transportation, supply chains and related sectors.
Sonowal said the project would deepen economic ties between Gujarat and Assam while creating employment opportunities. He said the facility, developed in collaboration with central government institutions, would contribute to the two states’ industrial partnership.
Assam Petro-chemicals chairman Bikul Deka said domestic production of green marine fuel would support India’s energy security and the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat objective.
