The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has approved the development of a jetty with allied facilities at Paradip Port for handling green hydrogen, ammonia and other liquid cargo at an estimated cost of Rs 7,970 million (mn).

The project will be implemented by the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) on a build-operate-transfer basis and the ministry indicated that the facility will support an integrated approach to clean energy logistics in the region.

The union minister for ports, shipping and waterways conveyed that the project is expected to enhance cargo capacity, catalyse investment and generate employment while creating a robust green energy ecosystem in eastern India and the ministry stated that provisions will be made to handle other liquid cargo to ensure optimal utilisation during the initial growth phase of the green hydrogen sector.

The project has been aligned with the objectives of the National Green Hydrogen Mission and is expected to support investments in green energy infrastructure in Odisha; authorities anticipate port-based logistics improvements will ease the movement of clean energy commodities and reduce handling bottlenecks.

The proposed jetty is to incorporate specialised infrastructure, storage facilities and advanced safety systems for handling and storing green energy derivatives and planners envisage that these measures will underpin the development of an integrated green hydrogen ecosystem around the port.

The PPA will proceed with detailed engineering, environmental clearances and stakeholder consultations before awarding contracts to private developers under the build-operate-transfer model and officials forecast that dedicated jetty facilities will make Paradip Port a strategic node for eastern and central supply chains for low carbon fuels; the ministry expects the project to catalyse wider economic activity without providing a specific timeline for completion.