Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday inaugurated India’s first port-based green hydrogen pilot project at V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port in Thoothukudi, marking a milestone in the country’s clean energy transition.

Developed at a cost of ₹3.87 crore, the 10 Nm³/hr pilot facility will produce green hydrogen for use in powering streetlights and an electric vehicle charging station within the port colony. With this development, VOC Port has become the first port in India to generate green hydrogen on-site, setting an important precedent for future maritime decarbonisation projects.

In addition, Sonowal laid the foundation stone for a green methanol bunkering and refueling facility of 750 m³ capacity, to be developed at a cost of ₹35.34 crore. This project is aligned with the proposed Coastal Green Shipping Corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin and is expected to position VOC Port as a green bunkering hub in southern India.

The inauguration also included a series of clean energy initiatives aimed at enhancing sustainability and efficiency. Among them was the launch of a 400 kW rooftop solar power plant, which increases the port’s total rooftop solar capacity to 1.04 MW—the highest among Indian ports. The minister also inaugurated a ₹24.5 crore link conveyor between Coal Jetty-I and the port’s stack yard, designed to streamline cargo handling and reduce operational delays.

Further commitments to renewable energy were made through the foundation stone laying of a 6 MW wind farm within the port’s jurisdiction. Infrastructure expansion was also a major highlight, with projects such as a ₹90 crore multi-cargo berth, a 3.37 km four-lane road for improved connectivity, and the development of the Tamil Nadu Maritime Heritage Museum.

Speaking at the event, Sonowal emphasised the achievements of Tamil Nadu’s major ports—Chennai, Kamarajar, and VOC—under the Sagarmala programme. Over the last 11 years, these ports have collectively undertaken 98 projects worth ₹93,715 crore. Of these, more than 50 projects have already been completed, with investments exceeding ₹16,000 crore directed towards modernisation and capacity upgrades.

By becoming the first Indian port to operate a green hydrogen facility and by investing in methanol bunkering, solar, and wind projects, VOC Port is positioning itself at the forefront of India’s maritime decarbonisation efforts. These initiatives are not only aligned with India’s broader climate goals but also mark Thoothukudi as a strategic hub for future-ready, green shipping solutions.

Source:

https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/indias-first-port-based-green-hydrogen-pilot-project-inaugurated-at-voc-port