Centre designates Chhara Port in Gujarat as LNG import hub

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has formally certified Chhara Port in Gujarat for the import of LNG into India by sea, marking a major step to strengthen India’s energy security. The notification gives M/s Simar Ports Private Limited (SPPL) the authority to manage LNG imports at Chhara Port and was issued in accordance with Rule 16(1) of the Petroleum Rules, 2002. Given the urgent need to import gas and petroleum for the public’s benefit, this action has been done. The Navigational Safety at Ports Committee (NSPC) certificate will be followed when conducting operations at Chhara Port.

The approval is valid from May 19, 2025, to May 18, 2028, for a duration of three years. Earlier, in November 2024, the Union Government gave Chhara Port permission to load and unload any class of goods, including exports and imports. HPCL LNG Limited (HPLNG), originally HPCL Shapoorji Energy Private Limited (HSEPL), is the company that runs Chhara Port.

On October 15, 2013, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and SP Ports Private Limited (SPPPL) formed the business as a 50:50 joint venture. On March 30, 2021, HPCL bought the remaining 50% of SPPPL, converting HPLNG into a fully owned subsidiary. With effect from September 10, 2021, the company’s name was changed to HPCL LNG Limited.

The purpose of HPLNG was to design, build, and run a greenfield LNG terminal that would have all the facilities required to receive, unload, store, and regasify LNG as well as provide the gas grid with regasified LNG. The LNG terminal is located in Chhara Village, Kodinar, Gir-Somnath district, Gujarat, inside the limits of the all-weather direct berthing Chhara Port.