Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday inaugurated a state-of-the-art Green Hydrogen Pilot Plant at V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port, marking a historic milestone in India’s maritime sector.
Built at a cost of ₹3.87 crore, the facility has a production capacity of 10 Nm³/hr, making VOC Port the first port in the country to produce Green Hydrogen. The project is seen as a major step towards sustainable energy transition and aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of achieving Net Zero Emission.
Alongside the inauguration, a series of important MoUs were exchanged to pave the way for transformative growth:
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With SIPCOT, Government of Tamil Nadu for the National Mega Shipbuilding Cluster
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With IPRCL for Rail Connectivity of the Outer Harbour Project
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With NTPC for advancing Green Mobility
Addressing the gathering at the inauguration and foundation stone laying of various port projects, Shri Sonowal said the initiatives would generate employment, build a green and sustainable future, and accelerate India’s journey towards becoming a global maritime power. He also highlighted that the three major ports in Tamil Nadu have doubled their capacity, strengthening India’s position on the global stage.
Shri T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), said the Ministry is working to implement the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision across ports, shipping and waterways. He noted that this year’s Union Budget had brought revolutionary changes, including the Maritime Development Fund, to give a major boost to the sector.
Shri Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary, MoPSW, said the Ministry is working with a clear vision, plan and targets to transform the maritime sector into a green sector. He added that the projects inaugurated reflect the spirit of the five landmark maritime bills passed in Parliament, calling them among the most progressive maritime laws in the world.
Officials said the Green Hydrogen Pilot Project and the new collaborations would set the foundation for a greener, stronger and future-ready maritime ecosystem.