‘Green Ports’ are the Future, Conclude Experts at India Ports ‘23

The two day session had deliberations on various initiatives and case studies focusing on the significance of developing ‘green ports’, appropriately

Padmesh Prabhune

Photos take from Jaggu

Green initiatives in ports are being encouraged as a sunrise segment and as India moves on to becoming the next biggest economy it has to go green, for Green ports have a smaller ecological footprint and that was the message unequivocally rendered at the  ‘India Ports Conference 2023’, organized by INMEX SMM India, in partnership with the Indian Ports Association, held on 11^th & 12^th  May  to discuss innovative technologies and solutions for a  smarter, greener & more sustainable port ecosystem.

The two-day conference witnessed national and international industry stalwarts  across segments, including port authorities, port operators, ship operators and solution providers presenting case  studies amid discussions on green energy, digitalization, environmental management, and sanitation. The conference also had deliberations on future fuels, impact of electrical equipment, sustainable AI applications, and more.

The Conference began with a welcome address by Mr. Ranjith Paul, Group Director, Informa Markets India followed by Mr. Sabyasachi Hajara, Advisory Chair, INMEX SMM India, mentioning about the untapped potential and the need to upgrade the ports to remain competitive on global standards.

Capt B K Tyagi, CMD The Shipping Corporation of India, highlighted the recent developments in Indian ports with a special mention of his visit to Tuticorin port and the Direct Shipping Service between Tuticorin and the Maldives. He noted that the service, providing the much needed impetus to bilateral trade between India & the Maldives, will not only cut logistic costs but will also reduce time with enhanced connectivity for transporting goods between the two countries. He also briefed the audience about the ‘Sagarmala’ initiatives.

Mr Amitabh Kumar, Ex Director General of Shipping also addressed the audience with his observations in the industry and the growth prospective. He noted that India has   7500 km of coastal line with major and minor ports across the country and thus the government might embark on a different strategy and may not necessarily ape other so-called leading countries, and maintain its focus on port development.

Mr Rajiv Jalota, Director General of Shipping & Chairman, Mumbai Port Authority who was the keynote speaker, elaborated on various initiatives taken by the government of India. India’s geographical location is an inherent advantage for Indian ports. About 95% of India’s trade by volume and 65% by value is done through maritime transport facilitated by ports.

Mr Jalota said, “To meet the larger vision of achieving Zero Carbon Emission Goal, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has launched ‘Harit Sagar’, the Green Port Guidelines.”

Harit Sagar Guidelines – 2023 envisages the ecosystem dynamics in port development, operation and maintenance, while aligning with ’Working with Nature’ concept and minimizing impact on biotic components of harbor ecosystem. It lays emphasis on the use of Clean / Green energy in Port operations, developing Port capabilities for storage, handling and bunkering Greener Fuels, viz. Green Hydrogen, Green Ammonia, Green Methanol / Ethanol etc.

These Guidelines provide a framework for the Major Ports for drawing out a comprehensive action plan for achieving targeted outcomes in terms of quantified reduction in carbon emission over defined timelines, through focused implementation and close monitoring of Green Initiatives and to achieve Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDG).

The Harit Sagar Guidelines – 2023 provide a comprehensive framework for our Major Ports, empowering them to create a comprehensive action plan aimed at achieving quantifiable reductions in carbon emissions over defined time-lines.

The two day session had deliberations on various initiatives and case studies focusing on the significance of ‘green ports’ development. There are professionals who help set up the green ports development facilities as well and with the automization and AI based software it can create sort of magical turnarounds.

The objective of these guidelines is to minimize waste through Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle, to attain zero waste discharge from port operations and promote monitoring, based on Environmental Performance Indicators.

A green port is a port that invests in and encourages environmentally friendly and sustainable operations. These ports adopt green technologies and low and zero carbon fuels for: Power-intensive terminal equipment. In-port vessel operations, and ship bunkering.

Also the results of empirical study point out the top five priority attributes of green port operations that include: hazardous waste handling, air pollution, water pollution, port greenery, and habitat quality maintenance.

However the rapid development of the maritime economy and ports across the world has resulted in increased pollution from various activities such as shipping, ports, industries and infrastructure. As a result, India and other countries are now looking for ways to manage ports in a more environmentally sustainable manner.

Needless to say, Government of India has undertaken green port initiatives in the major ports so that their environmental performance can be improved.

–Marex Media