MoPSW-World Bank workshop brainstorm green vessel initiatives
Maharashtra Government has expressed interest in setting up a water metro system in the state based on the model of Kochi Water Metro at a World Bank supported workshop on financing, construction and rolling out of green vessel initiatives.
The state government has evinced interest for entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with Kochi Water Metro and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) during the workshop held on 1 Dec 2023.
The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) along with The World Bank and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
Discussions at the workshop included the development of supporting infrastructure and various green fuel options were State Government representatives and other concerned stakeholders.
The workshop on ‘Charting a Course for Green Inland Vessels Transition’ was held in Kochi with the aim to achieve net zero emissions, said MoPSW which is taking all measures to achieve the target of net zero carbon emissions.
This initiative is in line with the Government’s policy of maritime sector playing an instrumental role and paving the way for India to set sail towards Green Sustainability Transportation, said the Ministry.
The workshop also aims to fuel the current Government objectives for the ‘National Green Hydrogen Mission’ under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) and ‘Harit Sagar Guidelines’ under MoPSW to develop a dynamic ecosystem in port development, operation and maintenance.
The workshop was attended by officers from the Ministry of Port, Shipping & Waterways, representatives of State Government of Assam, Maharashtra, Goa, Odisha, Karnataka, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala State Water Transport Department and Kochi Metro Rail Ltd., and various private entities including shippers, vessels owner’s cargo owners, etc. This was first of its kind workshop which will help the major industry leaders to converge and decide the future of green transition in India.
The Ministry along with some key stakeholders of maritime and inland waterway transportation sectors in India including Cochin Shipyard Limited, the Kochi Water Metro and state departments associated with water transportation shared progress towards green transition through illustrations of existing and upcoming vessels based on alternate fuels (such as electric, hydrogen and methanol).
The importance of research and development for technology stabilization and standardization were also deliberated among participants during the event. Fiinews.com
