Green shipping in India
Shipping and port operations are poised to play a pivotal role in driving future demand for green hydrogen and Power-to-X products, such as green ammonia and green methanol, for defossilisation. With a coastline of approximately 7,500 km and over 200 ports, India has committed to the International Maritime Organization’s target of achieving net-zero emissions in international shipping by 2050. In 2021, the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) had published an all-encompassing Maritime India Vision 2030, which emphasises transitioning towards cleaner and electricity-based shipping fuels. To further this goal, the government of India established the National Centre of Excellence in Green Port and Shipping (NCoEGPS) in 2023, hosted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
Setting the stage: initiative by the Royal Danish Embassy
During the 4th Global RE-Invest Renewable Energy Investors Meet & Expo, the Royal Embassy of Denmark organised a workshop on Green Shipping Corridors. Led by Ms Josefine Pallesen, Maritime Sector Counsellor, Royal Embassy of Denmark in India, and experts from the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, the workshop provided a state-of-the-art overview of green corridors, why they matter, and how India can lead in this field. The workshop also highlighted India’s potential, given its National Green Hydrogen Mission, to establish itself as a significant maritime power in global green shipping initiatives.
Power-to-X green shipping trainings in India
On behalf of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the Government of India, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), and the Royal Embassy of Denmark in India, the International Power-to-X Hub, in collaboration with the National Centre of Excellence in Green Port and Shipping (NCoEGPS) and TERI organised two Power-to-X green shipping trainings in Gandhinagar and Gurugram. The trainings were supported by the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF-SO), International Hydrogen Ramp-Up Programme (H2Uppp), Green Hydrogen Organisation, Global Maritime Forum, Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute, India Hydrogen Alliance, and the Skill Council for Green Jobs. These sessions offered valuable insights, presenting new and innovative fuel technologies and touched upon strategies to accelerate the maritime industry’s transition towards sustainability, such as through the green shipping corridors.
Key trainers included Mr Heino von Meyer, Trainer, International Power-to-X Hub, Mr Vivek Jha, independent energy professional, Dr Piyali Das and Mr Souvik Bhattacharjya, Associate Director and Senior Fellow, TERI.
First training: key highlights
The first Power-to-X green shipping training took place in Gandhinagar from 16 to 18 September, in conjunction with the RE-Invest 2024 event with more than 30 participants. The training gathered key stakeholders from ports, ministries, academia, and industry. Expert trainers led discussions on the transition to green hydrogen and other PtX fuels. The sessions provided valuable insights into international regulations, alternative fuels, and decarbonisation strategies for the maritime sector, paving the way for India’s leadership in green shipping.
A highlight of the event was the speech by Mr Shri Abhay Bakre, Mission Director, National Green Hydrogen Mission, MNRE, who emphasised the pivotal role of green hydrogen and PtX technologies in reshaping maritime transport. His words echoed India’s commitment to becoming a global leader in clean energy solutions. Mr Alexandre Callegaro, Minister Counsellor, German Embassy lauded India’s ambition to become a key supplier of green hydrogen and fuels. He emphasised India’s significant role in the global maritime sector with its numerous international and national ports.
A presentation by Ms Elena Talalasova, Team Lead and Senior Project Manager, Global Maritime Forum introduced the audience to the concept of Green Shipping Corridors. She elaborated on their importance for the sector’s transition. Mr Prasad Nayak, General Manager (Training) of Anglo-Eastern also contributed with a fascinating look into alternative maritime fuels, while Ms Prakriti Sethi, Chief India Representative from the Methanol Institute provided an in-depth exploration of methanol as a promising alternative. She outlined India’s ongoing efforts to meet rising methanol demand, drive domestic production, and expand its availability at key bunkering ports.
Second training: key highlights
Building on the momentum from the first training, this session delved deeper into alternative marine fuels such as e-ammonia and e-methanol. Experts, including Mr R. R. Rashmi, Distinguished Fellow and Program Director (Green Shipping), TERI, Ms Prakriti Sethi, Chief India Representative, Methanol Institute, Ms Gitte Livbjerg, Head of Fuel Concepts and Senior Expert- Green Corridors and Mr Christian Føhrby, Public Affairs Manager from the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping discussed the critical role of green corridors and the importance of strong public-private partnerships.
The session highlighted the need for India to develop robust green shipping projects, particularly in the context of its National Green Hydrogen Mission and emphasised India’s global responsibility in reducing shipping emissions.
The event kicked off with an inspiring address from Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, who underscored the urgency of tackling climate change head-on and the necessity of sustainable solutions for the shipping industry.
Adding to the depth of the discussions, Ms Josefine Pallesen, Maritime Counsellor, Embassy of Denmark in India shared key insights on the Fit-for-55 initiative and Fuel EU Maritime, focusing on Europe’s commitment to cutting emissions in maritime shipping.
Ms Surbhi Goyal, Senior Energy Specialist, World Bank then highlighted the Bank’s efforts for the growth of the green hydrogen sector by facilitating stakeholder consultations across the value chain to drive scalable and sustainable development.
The second edition of the Power-to-X green shipping training took place at TERI Campus, Gwal Pahari, on September 24 to 25 with more than 35 participants.
The way forward
The Power-to-X green shipping trainings in India mark a significant step forward in the defossilisation of global maritime practices. With India emerging as a key player in green hydrogen production and sustainable fuel innovation, these training sessions have laid the groundwork for establishing Green Shipping Corridors and supporting the IMO’s goal of net zero GHG emissions by 2050.
Moving forward, more such trainings will be taking place in different locations of India, each tailored to address national topics of importance. These initiatives will be essential in building capacity and driving the transition to clean fuels, positioning India as a global leader in green shipping while supporting the goal of net-zero emissions in the maritime sector.
Expanding the green shipping training in India
Building on the success of our previous two green shipping trainings, we propose hosting the next session in a strategic port city like Mumbai. This will provide an ideal opportunity for a site visit, enhancing the learning experience.
To further enrich the training, we suggest incorporating Indian perspectives and expertise, leveraging recent developments in the country’s green shipping landscape. Key highlights include:
- India’s Green Shipping Policy
- National Centre of Excellence for Green Ports & Shipping (NCoEGPS)
- Indian Ocean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Maritime Transport (IOCE-SMarT) in partnership with IMO’s Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre (MTCC) network
- National Green Hydrogen Mission’s focus on Shipping
To achieve this, we recommend partnering with NCoEGPS and Indian shipping companies. By combining international best practices with local expertise, we can create a comprehensive and engaging training programme.
