New Delhi, April 10: In a significant move towards decarbonizing the maritime sector, the Deendayal Port Authority (Kandla Port) has enhanced its methanol bunkering capabilities. A government statement released on Thursday highlighted that this initiative positions India as a key player in global green shipping corridors and supports the country’s energy transition efforts.
The statement emphasized that this initiative aligns with the maritime sector’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The primary focus is on adopting low-carbon alternative fuels, such as e-methanol and e-ammonia, to reduce greenhouse gas intensity in shipping.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal stated, “This milestone at Kandla Port reflects India’s commitment to leading a global shift towards green shipping. By adopting clean fuels like methanol and building future-ready infrastructure, we are aligning our maritime sector with international sustainability goals while enhancing its efficiency and competitiveness. This is a crucial step in our journey to becoming one of the world’s leading maritime nations.”
Located on India’s western coast, Kandla Port has long been handling grey methanol as cargo and already possesses the necessary infrastructure, including tank storage, pipelines, and jetties. Building on this foundation, the port is now actively developing specialized methanol bunkering capabilities.
To assess readiness, Kandla Port engaged DNV Maritime Advisory Services to evaluate the adequacy of existing infrastructure and regulatory safety frameworks. Following this assessment, the port was awarded a ‘Level 6’ rating on the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) ‘Port Readiness Level’ (PRL) scale for methanol bunkering.
On April 2, Kandla Port successfully conducted a ‘shore-to-ship’ methanol refueling trial to certify its infrastructure and operational protocols. This exercise was carried out in collaboration with industry partners, including Stolt Tankers, J.M. Baxi, Aegis Vopak, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, and the Deendayal Port Authority.
The trial successfully validated key elements such as bunker transfer processes, safety systems, and regulatory compliance. The DNV team conducted on-site verification, confirming that the process aligns with global best practices for methanol bunkering.
The port is now working towards ensuring the availability of approximately 500 KTPA (thousand tons per annum) of e-methanol compliant with ‘Renewable Non-Bio-Based Fuels’ (RNFBO) standards by 2028-29.
The statement noted that this supply is expected to assist deep-sea ‘dual-fuel’ vessels operating on the Asia-Europe trade corridor. Following the successful shore-to-ship trial, Kandla Port plans to implement ship-to-ship methanol bunkering in the next phase, further strengthening its operational capabilities. The progress at Kandla Port will play a crucial role in establishing India as a key hub in the emerging green shipping corridor, contributing to a cleaner, more resilient, and future-ready maritime ecosystem.
Sonowal added, “Our ports are becoming centers of innovation and sustainability. Initiatives like methanol bunkering not only reduce emissions but also create new opportunities for investment, technology collaboration, and job creation, further solidifying India’s meaningful contribution to the emerging global maritime sector. This reinforces our efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, a vision set forth by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
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