Defining Green Ports

A green port is essentially a port that makes a conscious effort to promote environmentally friendly and sustainable practices across all its operations. This concept is gaining traction in the ports and maritime industry worldwide.

• Green ports aim to achieve Net Zero Carbon status and/or cut down emissions. They also look to implement processes that enhance efficiency.
• They use green technologies and opt for low or zero-carbon fuels for equipment that requires significant power, in-port vessel operations, and ship refuelling.
• Some ports that have embraced the green port concept include the Port of Antwerp (Belgium), Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands), and Port of Vancouver (Canada).
• In India, the Haldia Port in West Bengal has the distinction of being the first green port.

The Harit Sagar Guidelines

The Harit Sagar guidelines have been formulated with the objective of promoting the development of green ports in India.

Key Objectives

• To integrate ecosystem dynamics into port development, operation, and maintenance.
• To align with the 'Working with Nature' concept.
• To minimize the impact on the biological components of the harbour ecosystem.

Main Features of the Green Port Guidelines

• They emphasize using green energy across activities, including port operation, developing port capabilities for storage, handling and bunkering of greener fuels like green hydrogen , green ammonia, and green methanol/ethanol.
• They provide a framework for major ports to create a comprehensive action plan to achieve targeted outcomes in carbon emissions.
• They support the implementation and monitoring of green initiatives in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) .

Major Goals

• To reduce waste through the four R's: Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle, with the ultimate aim of achieving zero waste discharge.
• To adopt the international Green Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard and incorporate aspects of the National Green Hydrogen Mission related to ports, the creation of green hydrogen facilities, LNG bunkering, offshore wind energy, and more.
• To promote monitoring based on Environmental Performance Indicators.

Green Tug Transition Programme

A tugboat is a vessel that assists in the mooring or berthing operation of a ship by towing or pushing the vessel towards the port. The Green Tug Transition Programme aims to convert these tugboats into 'green tugs' that run on non-fossil fuels such as methanol, hydrogen, or ammonia.

Aims of the Green Tug Transition Programme: To establish India as a 'Global Hub for Green Ship' building by 2030 and reduce emissions as the country moves towards sustainable development.

Progress so far:

• The first National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) was inaugurated in Gurugram, Haryana.
• The programme will begin with 'Green Hybrid Tugs', powered by Green Hybrid Propulsion systems.
• Over time, non-fossil fuel solutions like Methanol, Ammonia, Hydrogen, etc., will be adopted.
• The plan is to convert at least half of all the tugs into Green Tugs by 2030.

Significance

• The programme will help achieve multiple objectives such as promoting 'Make in India', generating greater business opportunities, and moving towards a carbon-neutral future by 2070.
• It will also contribute to achieving the UN’s SDG 14, which focuses on sustainably managing and protecting marine & coastal ecosystems from pollution, and the conservation & sustainable use of ocean-based resources.

Learn more about the Green Tug Transition Programme in the linked article.