New Delhi: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has stepped up efforts to develop green ports and sustainable maritime infrastructure through a series of initiatives aimed at reducing emissions and promoting clean energy.
These measures include the rollout of the Green Tug Transition Programme, which focuses on replacing conventional diesel-powered tugs with electric or hybrid ones. The ministry is also promoting the use of renewable energy at ports, electrification of equipment and vehicles, deployment of zero-emission trucks, and installation of shore-to-ship power systems under the Maritime India Vision 2030 and ‘Harit Sagar’ guidelines.
In a related move, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has identified three major ports—Deendayal Port Authority in Gujarat, Paradip Port Authority in Odisha, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority in Tamil Nadu—as Green Hydrogen Hubs to support the country’s green hydrogen ecosystem under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Major ports, which fall under the central government, have been taking steps to adopt clean energy solutions, including renewable power and shore power facilities. Ports managed by state governments are being developed separately under state jurisdiction.
Over the past two financial years, around 180 projects have been approved for major ports, covering modernisation, coastal shipping, and green initiatives.
Under the Green Tug Transition Programme, four major ports—Deendayal Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Visakhapatnam Port, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port—have already placed orders for electric tugs.
In addition, all major ports are providing shore-to-ship power for smaller vessels. The government is also supporting environmentally safe ship recycling, with incentives worth ₹53.39 crore provided to 109 ship recycling yards through the Ferrous Scrap Development Fund up to 2026.
The initiatives are part of broader efforts to make India’s port sector cleaner, more efficient, and aligned with long-term sustainability goals.
