India's Green Port Guidelines: Incentivizing Environment-Friendly Practices
Key Ideas
- Union Minister Sonowal issues 'HaritSagar' Green Port Guidelines to reduce carbon intensity and promote eco-friendly practices at major ports.
- Incentives include prioritizing ships using cleaner fuels, incentivizing craft operators using green fuels like Methanol, Ethanol, and Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology.
- Truck operators using CNG, LNG, Hydrogen, or electric fleet to be identified and incentivized. PPP concessionaires to adopt eco-friendly designs.
- Steps taken by major ports like Vishakhapatnam to reduce pollution include compliance with guidelines, solar power generation, and STP setups.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, has introduced the 'HaritSagar' Green Port Guidelines in India to decrease carbon intensity and foster an environment-friendly ecosystem at major ports. The guidelines aim to incentivize sustainable practices, such as prioritizing ships using cleaner fuels and offering rebates to craft operators using green fuels like Methanol, Ethanol, and Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology. Truck operators employing CNG, LNG, Hydrogen, or electric fleets will also receive incentives, while PPP concessionaires at ports are encouraged to embrace eco-friendly and carbon-neutral practices. Major ports like Vishakhapatnam have already implemented measures to tackle pollution, including adhering to Directorate General of Shipping Guidelines on the SwachhSagar Portal. Additionally, steps have been taken to reduce pollution further through initiatives like carbon reduction via solar power generation and the establishment of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways highlights the commitment to environmental sustainability and compliance with all environmental-related guidelines to create a greener and more sustainable port ecosystem in India.