V.O Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu Leading the Way with Green Methanol Bunkering
Key Ideas
- V.O Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu is set to become the first port in India to offer methanol bunkering services, opting for green methanol as the preferred alternative fuel.
- The port's decision was based on a comprehensive assessment of various green fuels, with green methanol emerging as the most feasible option for achieving decarbonisation goals by 2030.
- The project has garnered approval from relevant ministries and is now in the implementation phase, focusing on using green methanol for port operations and establishing bunkering facilities.
- The initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the shipping industry, particularly for container lines like Maersk, which are investing in methanol-fuelled vessels.
V.O Chidambaranar Port, located in Tamil Nadu, India, is making strides towards establishing green methanol bunkering infrastructure. The port, after collaborating with Italian firm RINA, identified green methanol as the most suitable alternative fuel following a thorough evaluation of options like green hydrogen, green ammonia, green methane, and green methanol itself.
The project, aimed at decarbonising port operations by 2030, has secured approval from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, as well as the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. It is now progressing towards utilizing green methanol for port activities and constructing bunkering facilities.
V.O Chidambaranar Port, a major port in Southern India that handles various types of vessels, is poised to lead the way in offering methanol bunkering services in the country. This decision aligns with the trend in the shipping industry where container lines are increasingly investing in methanol-powered vessels. As the project unfolds, it is expected to bring about a positive shift in the industry, benefiting key players like Maersk and others with plans to deploy dual-fuel ships.