India is accelerating its clean maritime transition by transforming major ports into global hubs for green hydrogen production, bunkering, and export, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced during India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025 in Mumbai.

Highlighting the government’s broader maritime reform plan, the minister noted that India has approved an ₹69,725 crore ($8 billion) investment package to revitalise shipbuilding and strengthen the maritime ecosystem — a move that will “lay the foundation for a golden era” and help India emerge among the top five maritime nations by 2047.

To further bolster green growth, the government has committed ₹19,989 crore in budgetary support for the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (FY26–FY36). Financing support will also come from Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd, India’s first maritime-focused NBFC, and a ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund designed to drive sustainability and infrastructure investments across ports.

Speaking at the event, Vijay Kumar, Secretary, MoPSW, said India is fast emerging as a major player in the global green hydrogen economy. He noted that Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) tenders have pushed production costs to as low as $571 per tonne of green ammonia — among the most competitive globally. “Several countries represented at IMW 2025 have expressed interest in importing green fuels from India. We are moving toward becoming a global supplier of green hydrogen,” Kumar said.

He outlined a roadmap for the maritime sector’s green transition, under which 60% of power consumption at major ports will come from renewables by 2030. Ports have been directed to electrify over 50% of their vessels, vehicles, and equipment by 2030, increasing to 90% by 2047, alongside energy efficiency and green building mandates for all new infrastructure.

The event also saw several major investment announcements. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) signed two MoUs worth ₹53,000 crore to develop Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra — ₹26,500 crore for offshore projects and another ₹26,500 crore for container terminal development. APSEZ had earlier committed ₹43,500 crore to expand Dighi Port, while Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) pledged ₹20,000 crore in financial support for Vadhavan. Evergreen Marine (Taiwan) signed an MoU worth ₹10,000 crore, and Gulftainer (UAE) committed ₹4,000 crore for terminal development.

Source:

https://www.maritimegateway.com/india-positions-its-ports-as-global-green-hydrogen-hubs-sonowal/