Maharashtra Maritime Board Urges Port Sector to Decarbonize Operations

The Maharashtra Maritime Board has called upon both public and private stakeholders within the port sector to join forces in decarbonizing the entire chain of port operations. At an industry event, Chief Port Officer Praveen S Khara emphasized the government’s active endorsement of the “Harit Sagar” green port guidelines, spearheaded by Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, aiming to achieve a zero-carbon emission goal.

Khara highlighted Maharashtra’s substantial cargo handling capacity of 77 million metric tonnes, involving a diverse range of stakeholders across the logistics and trade ecosystem. He stressed the imperative for collaboration among these entities to drive the decarbonization agenda forward.

The “Harit Sagar” guidelines, introduced in 2023, underscore a shift towards greener port development, operation, and maintenance, with a focus on minimizing environmental impact. They advocate for the adoption of clean and green energy in port operations, alongside the development of capabilities for storage, handling, and bunkering of greener fuels, including green hydrogen, green ammonia, green methanol, and ethanol. These guidelines serve as a framework for major ports to formulate comprehensive action plans for achieving quantified reductions in carbon emissions over defined timelines. They emphasize focused implementation and close monitoring of green initiatives to align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As the maritime sector navigates towards sustainability, collaboration and adherence to green guidelines will be pivotal. The emphasis on decarbonization not only aligns with environmental goals but also positions India’s port sector as a frontrunner in global efforts towards cleaner and greener energy solutions.

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