India Pledges $25 Million to Develop Hydrogen Hubs at Major Ports for Green Shipping Initiative

India commits $25 million to hydrogen hubs at major ports to drive its green shipping initiative, while also investing in green vessel conversions and shipbuilding. Discover how this move supports India's decarbonization goals.

In a significant move to decarbonize its maritime sector, India has committed $25 million to develop hydrogen hubs at key ports, including Deendayal, Paradip, and V.O. Chidambaranar. Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, announced this during the Hamburg Sustainability Conference. The hydrogen hubs will include bunkering and refueling facilities for green hydrogen-powered vessels, positioning India as a frontrunner in sustainable shipping.

The investment is part of India's broader green shipping initiative, which aims to reduce emissions from maritime transport and promote the use of green hydrogen and its derivatives as an alternative fuel. “This initiative marks a significant step in decarbonizing India’s maritime sector,” said Joshi.

Investment in Green Shipping and Vessel Conversion

In addition to the $25 million commitment, India is investing $14 million in pilot projects under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) to convert existing vessels to run on green hydrogen or its derivatives. The Shipping Corporation of India has already started converting two vessels to operate on green methanol, furthering the country’s ambitions for a sustainable maritime future.

The NGHM, launched with an outlay of $2.4 billion, aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030. This initiative will attract investments exceeding $100 billion and is expected to create over 600,000 jobs, driving India’s green energy transformation.

Green Shipbuilding and Shipyard Modernization

India is also positioning itself as a hub for green shipbuilding. Plans are underway to modernize shipyards and reopen older dockyards, supporting the nation’s ambition to become one of the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047. This shift is part of a larger strategy to boost the country’s shipbuilding capacity and contribute to the global supply of eco-friendly vessels.

India’s Renewable Energy Leadership

Joshi also highlighted India’s impressive renewable energy growth, with a 175% rise in capacity since 2014, reaching over 208 GW. Solar capacity has seen a 33-fold increase in the past decade, making India a global leader in clean energy.

“India’s embrace of innovative technologies and infrastructure investments has positioned us as a leading force in the global energy transition,” Joshi concluded.