Press Release, 8 September 2025
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Govt of India, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal on 5 September 2025 paid floral tributes to legendary freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaranar on his 154th birth anniversary at V.O.C. Port, Tuticorin. On this significant occasion, the Minister inaugurated the country’s first Green Hydrogen Pilot Project at a Port, underscoring India’s steady march toward a sustainable and net-zero future.
The 10 Nm³/hr Green Hydrogen Pilot Project, established at a cost of ₹3.87 crore, will generate clean hydrogen to power streetlights and an electric vehicle charging facility in the Port colony. This milestone positions VOC Port at the forefront of India’s green energy movement and aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of achieving Net Zero emissions and building a self-reliant, sustainable maritime sector.
Highlighting the transformative impact of such projects, Shri Sonowal stated that VOC Port is poised to emerge as India’s Green Hydrogen and Ammonia hub, with renewable energy adoption and green bunkering driving the transition. He further emphasized that these initiatives will create thousands of jobs in Tamil Nadu, attract global investment, and contribute to India’s goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2027, with Tamil Nadu targeting $1 trillion by 2030.
As part of the green transition, the Minister also laid the foundation for a ₹35.34 crore Green Methanol Bunkering and Refuelling Facility with a capacity of 750 m³. This pioneering step supports alternative marine fuels and will anchor VOC Port’s role in the upcoming Coastal Green Shipping Corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin.
Complementing the hydrogen project, several renewable energy and capacity expansion initiatives were launched:
- 400 KW Rooftop Solar Power Plant at a cost of ₹1.46 crore, taking the Port’s total rooftop solar capacity to 1.04 MW — the highest among Indian ports.
- 6 MW Wind Farm Project worth ₹59.20 crore to further accelerate the Net-Zero mission.
- Plantation drive to enhance ecological balance.
In addition, the Minister inaugurated critical infrastructure projects including a link conveyor system for coal handling, laid the foundation for Multi-Cargo Berth No.10 with a capacity of 10 million tonnes, and launched road and heritage museum projects to strengthen Port efficiency and cultural outreach.
On the occasion, MoUs were signed with IPRCL to establish rail connectivity for the Outer Harbour Project and with NTPC to implement Green Mobility solutions at the Port — further integrating sustainability into logistics and operations.
The event was attended by over 1,500 participants, including senior government officials, state ministers, and parliamentarians. Addressing the gathering, Shri Sonowal reiterated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India’s maritime sector is becoming a global exemplar in speed, scale, sustainability, and self-reliance, with VOC Port leading the charge in green hydrogen and alternative fuel adoption.
