The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has identified Mundra, JNPT, Chennai, and Tuticorin as India's four key locations for developing alternative marine fuel bunkering infrastructure, as the country moves to establish itself as a regional hub for low- and zero-carbon shipping fuels. The findings were released during a maritime safety workshop held in Mumbai, underscoring India's accelerating push toward green shipping decarbonisation.

The Study and Its Findings

The document, titled 'Study on Potential Demand and Pricing of Alternative Marine Fuels in India', was prepared by DNV under the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) GreenVoyage2050 Programme, in partnership with the DGMA and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW). It assesses vessel traffic patterns, existing and projected marine fuel demand, alternative fuel pricing, cost competitiveness, and bunkering infrastructure requirements.

According to the DGMA, projected demand for alternative marine fuels at these ports is expected to reach 42–65 petajoules (PJ) by 2035 and could scale to 113–293 PJ by 2047, depending on the adoption scenario. These figures signal a potentially transformative shift in how India's maritime sector is powered over the next two decades.

A Phased Roadmap from 2026 to 2047

The study outlines a structured, phased roadmap spanning 2026 to 2047, targeting four core priorities: the establishment of initial bunkering operations, expansion of infrastructure and services, development of robust safety and regulatory frameworks, and India's long-term integration into regional and global green shipping networks.

This comes amid a broader international shift toward maritime decarbonisation, with the IMO having set ambitious targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions from global shipping by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels. India's proactive positioning in this space could yield significant economic and strategic dividends as global fleets pivot away from conventional bunker fuels.

Ethanol Blending Mandate Already in Motion

The DGMA has already set a deadline requiring commercial vessels entering Indian coastal waters to use ethanol-blended fuel. Ship owners and managers have been given time to make the necessary equipment modifications and build onboard storage tanks for ethanol to be blended with marine diesel — marking one of the first concrete regulatory steps toward cleaner fuel adoption in Indian waters.

Marine Environmental Management Report 2026 Released

At the same workshop — jointly organised with the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) — the DGMA also released the 'Marine Environmental Management Report 2026'. Drawing on environmental data for 2025, the report covers carbon emissions from Indian shipping, fuel consumption trends, green shipping initiatives, single-use plastic prohibition, port reception facilities, and ballast water management.

'The report highlights key findings on carbon emissions, fuel consumption and marine pollution prevention, while identifying areas requiring further attention to strengthen environmental performance and regulatory compliance across the maritime sector,' the DGMA stated. The directorate described the publication as part of its commitment to data-driven environmental governance and sustainable maritime practices.

What This Means for India's Maritime Sector

Together, the two documents mark a significant step in India's transition from policy intent to operational planning on green shipping. Notably, India handles a substantial share of South Asia's container and bulk cargo traffic, and positioning its major ports as alternative-fuel bunkering hubs could attract international shipping lines seeking compliant refuelling options closer to key trade routes. The next phase will depend on the pace of infrastructure investment at Mundra, JNPT, Chennai, and Tuticorin, and on regulatory clarity for fuel suppliers and vessel operators alike.