WHY IN NEWS
- The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways reviewed green-shipping initiatives and asked major ports to fast-track readiness for green fuels and zero-emission shipping corridors.
- Deendayal Port, Paradip Port and V.O. Chidambaranar Port presented progress on green-fuel bunkering, while Kamarajar Port highlighted shore-power facilities.
- The issue connects maritime competitiveness with decarbonisation, port infrastructure, alternative fuels and international shipping standards.
- A green corridor is not merely a route; it requires compatible vessels, fuels, ports, standards, finance, safety systems and predictable demand.
TOP DATA & FACTS FOR UPSC
- The review was led by the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
- Zero-emission shipping corridors are dedicated routes designed to enable low- or zero-emission vessel operation.
- Green-fuel bunkering means safe storage and supply of cleaner marine fuels.
- Green hydrogen can be an input for marine fuel production.
- Green ammonia is a potential zero-carbon-at-point-of-use marine fuel.
- Methanol is another alternative marine fuel pathway.
- Shore power allows berthed ships to draw electricity from land.
- Shore power can reduce local air pollution from auxiliary ship engines.
- Deendayal Port Authority presented green-fuel readiness work.
- Paradip Port Authority presented green-fuel readiness work.
- V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority presented green-fuel readiness work.
- Kamarajar Port reported shore-power facilities at coal terminals.
- International shipping is a hard-to-abate sector.
- Fuel choice must consider lifecycle greenhouse-gas emissions.
- Ammonia requires strong safety systems because of toxicity.
- Hydrogen has storage and volumetric-energy-density challenges.
- Ports require new tanks, pipelines, handling systems and emergency protocols.
- Green corridors can create concentrated early demand for new fuels.
- Shipowners need confidence that compatible fuel will be available at both ends.
- Fuel producers need confidence that ships will purchase sufficient volume.
- Standards reduce coordination risk between ports and vessels.
- Renewable electricity availability affects the emissions profile of green fuels.
- Port electrification can lower local particulate and NOx pollution.
- Maritime decarbonisation also includes energy efficiency and operational measures.