The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to develop shore power supply (SPS) infrastructure across its terminals, with IFC investing $70 mn. The organisations described the arrangement as India’s first blue financing framework for the maritime sector.

The financing will enable ships berthed at JNPA to switch off their diesel engines and connect to land-based electricity. JNPA said the project is projected to cut carbon emissions by 63 per cent, reduce harmful air pollution by up to 90 per cent and create more than 400 jobs.

Shore power has not yet been commercially deployed at scale at any major Indian port. JNPA said IFC’s long-term financing would help it manage early-stage commercial risks, develop operational experience and adopt international practices before wider deployment. The project is intended to establish a commercial and operational model that can be applied at other Indian ports and in emerging markets.

JNPA described the initiative as the first labelled blue financing for port infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region and one of the first aligned with blue finance guidelines under the Indian Ports Act, 2025. It is also the first investment by a development finance institution (DFI) in India’s state-owned major port authorities, according to JNPA. IFC has supported the development of JNPA’s Sustainable Finance Framework to help attract further green and blue financing.

The project is aligned with Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines, which identify shore power as a key measure for reducing port emissions and pollution. JNPA operates five container terminals, other cargo facilities and a 277-hectare special economic zone. It is also developing the Rs. 762.2 bn Vadhvan Port in Maharashtra, an all-weather deep-draft greenfield facility that will be India’s 13th major port.