In October 2025, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) formally recognised three major ports in India – the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Gujarat, V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority in Tamil Nadu and Paradip Port Authority in Odisha – as green hydrogen hubs under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM). The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways noted that this recognition marked a defining moment in India’s maritime journey, as ports are important nodes in the transition to sustainable logistics through their strategic presence on global trade routes.
Recognising the logistical and technical challenges associated with long-distance hydrogen transport, the NGHM has adopted a cluster-based development model. This approach enhances early-stage project viability, enables infrastructure convergence and helps achieve economies of scale in identified regions. The guidelines for setting up hydrogen valley innovation clusters and green hydrogen hubs, issued in June 2025, provide the framework for identifying and supporting potential regions capable of large-scale hydrogen activity. Under Component B2 of these guidelines, the MNRE may recognise locations as green hydrogen hubs without direct financial assistance. Therefore, projects established within the three port green hydrogen hubs will be eligible for benefits available under other relevant schemes and policies of the central and state governments, including those linked to the NGHM.
The recognition of these ports is expected to catalyse industrial participation, attract green investments and promote innovation in clean fuel technologies, supporting India’s broader vision of achieving energy self-reliance and net zero emissions by 2070.
Paradip Port
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has approved the development of a dedicated jetty with allied facilities for handling up to 4 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of green hydrogen, green ammonia and other liquid cargo at Paradip Port in February 2026, at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.97 billion. The project will be implemented by the Paradip Port Authority on a build-operate-transfer and public-private partnership basis.
The proposed infrastructure will also include specialised infrastructure and advanced safety systems for handling and storing green energy derivatives and other liquid cargo storage systems, such as pipelines, handling equipment and associated facilities. The jetty will have a centre-to-centre distance of 279 metres between the extreme end dolphins and a dredged depth of 14.3 metres in front of the berth, to enable safe handling of liquid cargo vessels.
The green hydrogen jetty is expected to play a critical role in strengthening export logistics and integrating Odisha’s emerging green hydrogen production clusters with global markets, besides catalysing investment, generating employment and creating a robust green energy ecosystem in eastern India. The facility will also include provisions for handling other liquid cargo to ensure optimal utilisation during the initial growth phase of the green hydrogen sector and to diversify the port’s cargo profile.
The Paradip Port Authority will provide capital support equivalent to 20 per cent of the project cost, amounting to Rs 1.59 billion, during the construction phase. The project is expected to be completed within 24 months.
V.O. Chidambaranar Port
The MoPSW, in February 2026, inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 15 billion at VOC Port in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, including rail and road connectivity upgrades, enhancement of power infrastructure, renewable energy integration (including solar, wind, battery storage and green hydrogen production), advanced safety systems and digital platforms. The projects mark a significant expansion in infrastructure and modernisation at the port.
The developments build on recent milestones at the port, including the commissioning of three new berths over the past 18 months. Among them is North Cargo Berth-III, commissioned in July 2025, which has expanded bulk cargo capacity. Work is also progressing on the Outer Harbour project, designed to accommodate larger vessels and boost trade volumes.
VOC Port has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable maritime operations, becoming the first Indian port to produce and utilise green hydrogen on-site. A pilot project has been operational since late 2025, with plans for commercial-scale expansion by 2029. Integrated renewable initiatives; green methanol facilities; partnerships in e-ammonia; and carbon capture, utilisation and storage are expected to establish the port as a future-ready green fuel bunkering centre.
On the technology front, the port has deployed India’s first comprehensive digital twin platform to enable real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance and data-driven optimisation. An anti-drone system has also been installed to enhance the security of critical infrastructure.
These projects are expected to reduce logistics costs; accelerate industrial growth across the Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Madurai districts; attract fresh investments, and generate employment opportunities.
Operational performance at the port has improved alongside infrastructure expansion. Between April 2025 and January 2026, cargo handling increased by 6 per cent to 35.97 million tonnes (mt), including a record 4 mt in January 2026. Container volumes rose by 9.4 per cent to more than 716,000 twenty-foot equivalent units, supported by process reforms, additional equipment and expanded storage capacity.
Latest developments include the allocation of 205.72 acres for green hydrogen and ammonia projects, and the development of a green methanol bunkering facility with 2×750 m³ capacity. With sustained investments in infrastructure, sustainability and digital innovation, VOC Port continues to consolidate its position as a major maritime gateway on India’s eastern seaboard, and a model for green and secure port development.
Further, a port-based green hydrogen pilot was commissioned at VOC Port in September 2025, featuring a Rs 250 million, 10 Nm³/hr facility to supply green hydrogen for applications such as street lighting and an electric vehicle charging station.
Deendayal Port Authority
DPA in Kandla, Gujarat, has commissioned a 1 MW electrolyser-based green hydrogen plant at a cost of about Rs 130 million, with an annual production capacity of nearly 140 metric tonnes, besides allocating 3,400 acres for green hydrogen and green ammonia projects. It has also developed a 3.5 mtpa jetty compatible with green ammonia handling. Additionally, a Rs 420 million, 750 m³ green methanol bunkering and refuelling facility is being developed to support cleaner maritime operations and establish a coastal green shipping corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin. The port has now achieved Port Readiness Level 6 (progressing to 7) for biomethanol bunkering.
DPA has invited bids to set up a metal hydride technology-based green hydrogen storage system with a capacity of at least 3 kg and fuel cell-based power generation of at least 4 kW at Kandla port. The project’s estimated value is Rs 32.6 million, with a scope of work that involves designing, supplying, installing, integrating, testing and commissioning the project. It also entails operations and maintenance (O&M) for two years, comprising one year of defect liability and one year of comprehensive O&M. Further, the project involves the supply of a pressure regulation system for the required quality of hydrogen purification and filtration units, and protection container housing for metal hydride units, fuel cell units and batteries.
Maritime India Vision 2030
As explained above, India’s major ports are rapidly advancing decarbonisation and green energy adoption through a series of initiatives aimed at reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency and building a sustainable maritime ecosystem. Several of these green port modernisation initiatives – falling under the broader frameworks of Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines – have been implemented by the MoPSW, in coordination with the MNRE.
Some of the sustainability measures undertaken at major ports include the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) for the replacement of diesel tugs with electric and hybrid alternatives, besides deployment of zero-emission trucks and installation of onshore power supply systems to reduce emissions from docked vessels. Other measures include increased adoption of renewable energy at port facilities for electrification of port equipment, railway tracks and vehicles.
These measures have already contributed to a measurable reduction in carbon intensity across major ports. Under the GTTP, four ports (DPA, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Visakhapatnam Port Authority and VOC Port Authority) have placed work orders for electric tugs.
All major ports have also introduced shore power systems for smaller vessels, reducing fuel consumption while docked. In addition, under the Hong Kong International Convention for Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, incentives worth Rs 534 million have been provided to 109 ship recycling yards through the Ferrous Scrap Development Fund, up to 2026.
Approximately 180 projects have been approved over the two fiscal years – 2023-24 and 2024-25 – across major ports. These include port modernisation, coastal shipping enhancements and green port initiatives. Ports outside the major port system remain under state government jurisdiction and are managed independently.
These initiatives are in line with India working towards building an ecosystem of sustainable development to realise the vision of becoming net zero by 2070.
Anita Khuller
