VOC Port Launches India's First Green Hydrogen Project

Union Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal officially launched India’s inaugural port-based Green Hydrogen Pilot Project at V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port.

The green hydrogen pilot project will power streetlights and an electric vehicle charging station in the port colony. “With this launch, VOC Port has become the first port in the country to produce green hydrogen,” an official statement said. Speaking at the occasion, Sonowal said India aims to be among the world’s top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030, and top five by 2047.

The minister additionally established the groundwork for a pilot facility dedicated to green methanol bunkering and refueling. This initiative is in accordance with the suggested coastal green shipping corridor connecting Kandla and Tuticorin.

“The initiative is expected to position VOC Port as a key green bunkering hub in South India,” the statement added.

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“The mission of Viksit Bharat at 2047 blends speed, scale, sustainability, and self-reliance. The projects launched today will generate thousands of jobs, attract global investments and position Tamil Nadu as a key contributor to India’s economic aspirations. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we continue to make new strides towards achieving our goal of being among the world’s top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and top 5 by 2047,” Sonowal said.

Additional initiatives introduced at the event comprise a 400 KW rooftop solar power facility, elevating the port's overall rooftop solar capacity to 1.04 MW, the largest among Indian ports, along with a ₹24.5 crore link conveyor that connects Coal Jetty-I to the port stack yard, which is expected to enhance efficiency by 0.72 MMTPA.