Sarbananda Sonowal : Critical to develop Roadmap for Greening the Shipping Sector

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal has said it is critical to develop a roadmap for greening the shipping sector in India, reduce pollution intensity and evolve strategies to introduce renewable energy and green hydrogen in the shipping sector. 

Addressing the session on Instruments and Leadership for Inclusive Green Growth at World Sustainable Development Summit 2023 in New Delhi he said with ‘green growth’ being a priority area in the Union Budget presented in Parliament a few days ago, the focus is firmly on meeting the decarbonization targets for 2030 as well as the net-zero goals for 2070.

He said this is applicable to the shipping sector as well. The Budget had also put forth the need to promote coastal shipping as an energy efficient and lower cost mode of transport, both for passengers and freight, through PPP mode with viability gap funding, he added.

The Minister said it was a matter of great pleasure for him to be part of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) annual flagship event – the World Sustainable Development Summit. As a research institution working steadfastly to find solutions that will make the planet more sustainable, not only through their work on policy, but also through technology interventions that will enable green transitions, TERI holds a vital place in the green growth ecosystem, he added.

Shri Sonowal said The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

(MoPSW) recently joined hands with TERI to set up the country’s first National Centre of Excellence in Green Port and Shipping at the institution’s field station at Gwal Pahari.

He said this National Centre of Excellence brings together the expertise of the Deendayal Port Authority, Paradip Port Authority, VO Chidambaranar Port Authority and Cochin Shipyard Limited and TERI, and will play a key role in developing regulatory framework and alternate technology adoption roadmap for green shipping in India.