Kolkata Port goes in for green initiatives. Plans big for Maritime India Mission 2030

Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata, has initiated several projects to protect the environment even when operations are at their peak, under the Maritime India Mission 2030. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has urged all Major Ports in the country to undertake Green Port initiatives that would help improve their environmental performance.

On January 29, Shipping Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal met the chairpersons of all Major Ports to take stock of the progress made. Vinit Kumar, Chairman, SMP, Kolkata, highlighted how the port conceived 143 initiatives of which 68 will help in leading the maritime sector in the world towards a safe, sustainable and greener future. Several green projects undertaken by SMP, Kolkata have already been completed.

Recommendations on issues such as air quality, energy, waste management and water conservation

“Our Chairman highlighted how the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), with help from the CII Centre of Excellence – CII Green Business Centre has extensively analysed operations at Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) and Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and recommendations will be made on issues such as air quality, energy, waste management and water conservation. These will be in line with Maritime India Vision 2030. CII teams have already visited sites, spoken to officials and collected data. A Site Observation Report has also been submitted to SMP, Kolkata, for its comments. In the next two weeks, CII will also hold training programmes for officials to help Implement the recommendations,” SMP, Kolkata, spokesperson Sanjoy Kumar Mukherjee said.

To reduce the consumption of fuel, shore based supply of power to ships arranged at 13 berths

To reduce the consumption of fuel by ships, shore based supply of power to them has been arranged at 13 berths. For river cruise vessels, shore based power is supplied at the Indenture Memorial Jetty in Kolkata. The Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal Concession awarded to H-Energy at Kukrahati will also enable the bunkering of the green fuel. Port based industry in Haldia will be using this fuel in the days to come, reducing their dependency on coal. Several other measures have been taken by SMP, Kolkata, such as commissioning of solar power plants and water harvesting systems. Air pollution has also been brought down through the use of wind barriers and plastic waste is getting collected. Sensors are being used on port tugs to reduce fuel consumption. Mangrove forest development at the Nayachar Island, off Haldia, has also been encouraged. Sludge discharged by ships entering the port is also getting recycled as per norms.

By 2030, the Kolkata port plans to earn Carbon Credits through setting up of a solar power farm