New Delhi, April 9 (NationPress) In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at decarbonizing the maritime industry, the Deendayal Port Authority, known as Kandla Port, has significantly enhanced its methanol bunkering capabilities, establishing itself as a pivotal contributor to India’s energy transition and the global push for green shipping corridors, as highlighted by a government announcement on Thursday.

This initiative aligns with the maritime sector's ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, focusing on the adoption of low-carbon alternative fuels like e-methanol and e-ammonia to minimize greenhouse gas emissions in shipping.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, remarked: "This achievement at Kandla Port underscores India’s commitment to spearheading the global transition towards sustainable shipping. By adopting cleaner fuels like methanol and developing infrastructure that is ready for the future, we are synchronizing our maritime sector with international sustainability objectives while boosting efficiency and competitiveness. This is a significant stride in our journey to become one of the premier maritime nations globally."

Situated on the western coast of India, Kandla Port has historically handled grey methanol as part of its cargo and already possesses the essential infrastructure, including tank storage, pipelines, and jetties. Building on this existing framework, the port is now actively working to develop specialized methanol bunkering facilities.

To evaluate its readiness, Kandla Port engaged DNV Maritime Advisory Services to assess its current infrastructure and the robustness of its regulatory and safety frameworks. Following this evaluation, the port achieved a Level 6 rating on the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) Port Readiness Level (PRL) scale for methanol bunkering.

On April 2, Kandla Port successfully executed a trial shore-to-ship methanol fuelling operation to validate its infrastructure and operational protocols. This trial, conducted in partnership with industry stakeholders such as Stolt Tankers, J.M. Baxi, Aegis Vopak, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., and the Deendayal Port Authority, confirmed the efficiency of key elements including bunker transfer processes, safety systems, and regulatory compliance. The DNV team conducted on-site verification, ensuring adherence to global best practices for methanol bunkering.

The port aims to ensure the availability of around 500 KTPA of Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) compliant e-methanol by 2028-29. This supply is anticipated to support deep-sea, dual-fuel vessels operating along the Asia-Europe trade routes, as noted in the statement.

Following the success of the shore-to-ship trial, Kandla Port is poised to initiate ship-to-ship methanol bunkering in the next phase, further enhancing its operational capabilities. The advancements at Kandla Port are crucial for positioning India as a central hub in emerging green shipping corridors, fostering a cleaner, more resilient, and future-ready maritime ecosystem, the statement emphasized.

Sonowal added: "Our ports are transitioning into centers of innovation and sustainability. Initiatives like methanol bunkering not only curtail emissions but also create new avenues for investment, technology partnerships, and job opportunities, reinforcing India’s substantial contribution to the evolving global maritime sector. This aligns with our goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, a vision championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi."