V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority is being positioned as a potential node for a green shipping corridor on the India-Europe trade lane following the release of a policy brief by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).
The policy brief, titled “Positioning V.O. Chidambaranar Port for Maritime Decarbonization”, was launched at the India Clean Transportation Summit 2026 in New Delhi on 1 September 2026. The report examines pathways for strengthening the port’s green-fuel ecosystem and supporting maritime decarbonisation.
The brief was launched during a session titled “India’s Maritime Transition in a Net Zero World: Positioning India for the Next Era of Global Shipping” by Ketan Gore, Researcher, ICCT. The session was attended by Amitabh Kumar, former Director General of Shipping and Independent Director, The Great Eastern Shipping Company; Josefine Pallesen, Maritime Counsellor, Embassy of Denmark; A. Ramasamy, Chief Mechanical Engineer, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority; and Capt. Prashant S. Widge, Executive Director, Smart Freight Centre – India.
ICCT outlines green shipping opportunities
According to the ICCT assessment, V.O. Chidambaranar Port could leverage its location on the East-West maritime route connecting the Indian Ocean with the Suez Canal and European ports to participate in the development of a green shipping corridor.
The policy brief identifies several potential areas of action, including stronger links between green-fuel production and maritime offtake, implementation of the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines, engagement with the Global Maritime Forum’s green shipping corridor network, and development of reliable green-fuel supply arrangements for the shipping sector.
The assessment also points to opportunities for the port to work with shipping operators connected to European markets, develop green-fuel offtake and bunkering arrangements, and establish partnerships with international ports and other stakeholders.
Green hydrogen and alternative-fuel infrastructure
V.O. Chidambaranar Port has been designated as a Green Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission and has developed a 10 Nm³/hr green hydrogen pilot project. The pilot has provided the port with operational experience in renewable energy generation, electrolysis, hydrogen storage and fuel-cell operations.
The port is also nearing completion of 2 × 750 cubic metres of green methanol storage capacity intended to support future bunkering requirements. It is developing a dedicated green ammonia berth for handling and potential future bunkering of green ammonia.
Other projects underway include extending shore-to-ship power facilities across all berths, procuring green tugs, developing a 3 MW green hydrogen production plant and a 2 MW ground-based solar power plant. The port is also developing an 8 MW wind farm integrated with a 5 MWh Battery Energy Storage System, along with a separate 9 MW wind power farm.
Green-fuel investments and ammonia handling
The port has allotted 501 acres to green-fuel developers, with investments stated at around ₹41,860 crore. The port handled approximately 1.45 lakh tonnes of liquid ammonia during 2024-25, providing an existing operational base for ammonia-related cargo handling.
The ICCT assessment is among the early independent research studies examining the green-fuel readiness of an individual Indian port. It focuses on connecting clean-fuel production with maritime demand and emerging green shipping networks.
Port authority outlines decarisation priorities
Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, said the ICCT assessment provides strategic direction for strengthening the port’s green-fuel ecosystem and its role in maritime decarbonisation.
The port’s initiatives are being developed under the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and are aligned with India’s broader climate and maritime decarbonisation objectives, including the national target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
