Sonowal sees green shipping most pivotal element in evolving a sustainable blue economy
India’s leading ports along with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) are putting their expertise together under a newly created centre of excellence to develop regulatory framework and alternate technology adoption roadmap for green shipping.
Guiding this development is the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) which recently joined hands with TERI to set up the country’s first National Centre of Excellence in Green Port and Shipping (NCoEGPS) at the institution’s field station at Gwal Pahari.
This National Centre of Excellence brings together the expertise of the Deendayal Port Authority, Paradip Port Authority, VO Chidambaranar Port Authority and Cochin Shipyard Limited, said MoPSW Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
“As inclusive green growth increasingly becomes the foundation on which future development has to take place, it is imperative to bring in policies, frameworks and systems in place that will enable this transition,” he said.
The Minister said the shipping sector is both energy and resource intensive and needs an implementation roadmap to achieve energy and resource neutrality.
He said initiatives such as the NCoEGPS will provide decision makers at a national and sub-national level with methodology and framework to implement carbon neutrality measures, and to meet the obligations under the Paris Accord.
In line with the IMO’s objective the MoPSW has set target to reduce GHG emission in Indian shipping sector to 30% by 2030, he said.
At present, about 99% of the energy demand from coastal shipping sector is met by fossil fuels – fuel oil and marine gas oil (MGO).
As per IMO, an unchecked measure may take GHG emissions associated with the shipping sector to anywhere between 50% and 250% by 2050 in comparison to 2008 emission levels.
The IMO overall vision, adopted in 2018 is to phase out greenhouse gas emissions from the industry as soon as possible in this century.
“A green shipping sector is the most pivotal element in evolving a sustainable blue economy,” he underlined.
“A thriving blue economy needs a shipping sector that cuts back on emissions and opts for green fuels.
“With our multiple initiatives the Ministry is looking forth to decarbonize the sectors so that the 2030 and 2070 targets are achieved,” he said.
Various pollution mitigation measures are under place by the Indian major ports such as adoption to mechanised mode of dry bulk handling, increasing green belt coverage, conversion of diesel RTGCs to E/ hybrid RTGCs and several others.
Further, the role of NCoEGPS will be transformational in achieving Vision 2030 pollution mitigation targets, he added.
“With India taking over the G20 Presidency this year and working groups deliberating on clean energy and green transitions, we are re-emphasizing the significance of inclusive green growth as our development strategy,” said Sonowal.
“To enable this growth, we need to pay particular attention to technology transfer which is absolutely essential for green transitions.
“There is also a need to mainstream green transition policies as well as carry out proper assessment of emerging energy and fuel choices,” he told delegates at TERI’s annual flagship event – the World Sustainable Development Summit held on 23 Feb 2023. fiinews.com
