Indian Ports To Adopt Technologies To Reduce Carbon Footprint, Following Benchmarks Under ‘Green Port’ Guidelines

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is expected to launch its 'Green Port' guidelines next week, which aims to set benchmarks and targets for all major ports.

Following this, at least 12 major ports owned by the central government will have to take a series of measures to reduce its carbon footprint — including increasing their green cover to 20 per cent and electrification of all port equipment to 50 per cent in the next seven years.

The government aims to achieve complete "shore-to-ship" power supply by 2025 to reduce air pollution at ports.  

According to a Times of India report, nearly 70 per cent of air pollution at major ports is caused when ships are anchored at ports.

“During the period when the ships with EXIM (export-import) cargo are not moving, their engines are not switched off as several other routine activities continue. If we can provide cleaner power supply to these ships from the ports, we will be able to arrest this pollution in a big way,” said an official.

As per officials, the strategy to reduce the carbon footprint will have two aspects — to adopt greener technologies and practices at the port and to ensure that the power source and feeder transport system run on cleaner fuel.

The major ports plan to retrofit or convert diesel equipment such as loaders, cranes, and other vehicles to electrically powered ones in a phased manner.

They will also have to conduct an annual environmental audit by a credible agency and upload the reports on their websites.

Furthermore, the port authorities will also be allowed to offer 'green ship incentives' to ships using cleaner fuel and having shore power reception facilities, as per reports.

Similarly, the ports can give incentives to private players in the port project which adopt cleaner and sustainable practices.