India’s First Port-Based Green Hydrogen Plant Launched

08 Sep 2025 CW Team

Constructed at a cost of Rs 38.7 million, the 10 Nm³/hr green hydrogen facility will power streetlights and an electric vehicle (EV) charging station within the port colony. VOC Port has now become the first port in India to generate green hydrogen, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable port operations.

The Union Minister also laid the foundation stone for a Green Methanol Bunkering and Refuelling Facility with a capacity of 750 m³, to be built at a cost of Rs 353.4 million. This initiative aligns with the proposed Coastal Green Shipping Corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin, reinforcing VOC Port’s emerging role as a green bunkering hub in southern India.

Highlighting the significance of these initiatives, Shri Sonowal stated,“The mission of Viksit Bharat @2047 combines speed, scale, sustainability and self-reliance. These projects will not only generate employment but also attract global investment and enhance Tamil Nadu’s contribution to India’s economic aspirations.”

Additional green and infrastructure projects inaugurated include:

A 400 KW rooftop solar plant, raising the port’s total rooftop solar capacity to 1.04 MW, the highest among Indian ports
A Rs 245 million link conveyor connecting Coal Jetty-I to the port’s stack yard, boosting handling efficiency by 0.72 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA)
Foundation stones for a 6 MW wind farm, a Rs 900 million multi-cargo berth, a 3.37 km four-lane road, and the Tamil Nadu Maritime Heritage Museum

The Minister praised the transformation of Tamil Nadu’s major ports—Chennai, Kamarajar, and VOC—under the Sagarmala programme, noting that 98 projects worth Rs 937.15 billion have been undertaken over the last 11 years, with 50 already completed. Of this, over Rs 160 billion has been invested in port modernisation and capacity enhancement alone.

Paying tribute to freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaranar on his 154th birth anniversary, Shri Sonowal said,

“VOC’s Swadeshi spirit through shipping continues to inspire us. Today, we honour that legacy by strengthening our ports with green energy, innovation and self-reliance.”

The Minister also expressed gratitude to the people of Tamil Nadu and Thoothukudi, acknowledging their support in enabling the timely execution of development projects.

“Our ministry is delivering with speed, scale and commitment — and the trust of the people is central to this success,” he added.

The event also witnessed two key MoU signings:

Between VOC Port and IPRCL for rail connectivity to the upcoming Outer Harbour project
Between VOC Port and NTPC to drive green mobility initiatives

Shri Sonowal was joined by Shri T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary of MoPSW, along with senior officials from the Ministry and the Government of Tamil Nadu. These initiatives collectively underscore India’s commitment to creating a future-ready, sustainable maritime ecosystem.

In a landmark development for India's clean energy transition, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the country’s first port-based Green Hydrogen Pilot Project at V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port in Thoothukudi. This initiative marks a major milestone in India's journey towards decarbonising maritime infrastructure.Constructed at a cost of Rs 38.7 million, the 10 Nm³/hr green hydrogen facility will power streetlights and an electric vehicle (EV) charging station within the port colony. VOC Port has now become the first port in India to generate green hydrogen, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable port operations.The Union Minister also laid the foundation stone for a Green Methanol Bunkering and Refuelling Facility with a capacity of 750 m³, to be built at a cost of Rs 353.4 million. This initiative aligns with the proposed Coastal Green Shipping Corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin, reinforcing VOC Port’s emerging role as a green bunkering hub in southern India.Highlighting the significance of these initiatives, Shri Sonowal stated,“The mission of Viksit Bharat @2047 combines speed, scale, sustainability and self-reliance. These projects will not only generate employment but also attract global investment and enhance Tamil Nadu’s contribution to India’s economic aspirations.”Additional green and infrastructure projects inaugurated include:A 400 KW rooftop solar plant, raising the port’s total rooftop solar capacity to 1.04 MW, the highest among Indian portsA Rs 245 million link conveyor connecting Coal Jetty-I to the port’s stack yard, boosting handling efficiency by 0.72 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA)Foundation stones for a 6 MW wind farm, a Rs 900 million multi-cargo berth, a 3.37 km four-lane road, and the Tamil Nadu Maritime Heritage MuseumThe Minister praised the transformation of Tamil Nadu’s major ports—Chennai, Kamarajar, and VOC—under the Sagarmala programme, noting that 98 projects worth Rs 937.15 billion have been undertaken over the last 11 years, with 50 already completed. Of this, over Rs 160 billion has been invested in port modernisation and capacity enhancement alone.Paying tribute to freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaranar on his 154th birth anniversary, Shri Sonowal said,“VOC’s Swadeshi spirit through shipping continues to inspire us. Today, we honour that legacy by strengthening our ports with green energy, innovation and self-reliance.”The Minister also expressed gratitude to the people of Tamil Nadu and Thoothukudi, acknowledging their support in enabling the timely execution of development projects.“Our ministry is delivering with speed, scale and commitment — and the trust of the people is central to this success,” he added.The event also witnessed two key MoU signings:Between VOC Port and IPRCL for rail connectivity to the upcoming Outer Harbour projectBetween VOC Port and NTPC to drive green mobility initiativesShri Sonowal was joined by Shri T.K. Ramachandran, Secretary of MoPSW, along with senior officials from the Ministry and the Government of Tamil Nadu. These initiatives collectively underscore India’s commitment to creating a future-ready, sustainable maritime ecosystem.

Infrastructure Urban

07 Nov 2025

Welspun Enterprises Wins 910 MLD Panjrapur WTP Contract

Welspun Enterprises (WEL), the infrastructure and energy arm of Welspun World, has secured a major contract from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to design, build and operate a 910 million litres per day (MLD) Water Treatment Plant (WTP) at Panjrapur, Maharashtra.Valued at approximately Rs 31.45 billion, the project encompasses end-to-end civil, mechanical, electrical and instrumentation works, including the construction of a treated water sump and pumping station. Of the total value, nearly Rs 11.56 billion is allocated to Operations & Maintenance (O&M), with an additional..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Nov 2025

Mitsubishi Power Wins Boiler Upgrade Contract for O Mon 1 Plant

Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, (MHI), has been awarded a contract to support the oil-to-natural-gas fuel conversion at the O Mon 1 Thermal Power Plant in Can Tho, southern Vietnam. As the OEM of the plant’s existing boiler, Mitsubishi Power will supply key equipment—including new gas burners—and implement a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to reduce NOx emissions and help the plant meet stricter environmental standards.The O Mon 1 facility includes two 330 MW units that commenced operations in 2009 and 2015, with all major equipment or..

Equipment

07 Nov 2025

Liebherr’s 10,000th XPower Wheel Loader Joins BERGER’s Fleet

BERGER Rohstoffe GmbH has welcomed the 10,000th Liebherr XPower wheel loader to its operations at the Schlag granite quarry in Passau. The milestone machine, officially handed over at Liebherr’s Bischofshofen plant in May 2025, underscores the long-standing partnership between BERGER, Liebherr, and the Beutlhauser Group. Equipped with Liebherr’s signature power-split travel drive, the new L 580 XPower is already delivering strong results under demanding quarry conditions.At the Schlag quarry, BERGER Rohstoffe processes approximately 200,000 tonnes of Bayerwald granite annually into high-qu..