Kochi Port Welcomes First LNG-Powered Container Ship

24 May 2024 CW Team

The Vallarpadom Container Terminal at Kochi made history as it "turned green" with the arrival of a 365-meter-long container carrier, the MSC ROSE. This significant event marks the first time a container ship powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) has docked at the port, ushering in a new era of eco-friendly maritime operations.

Captain Bhaskar Kunji, chief pilot of Kochi Port Trust, proudly noted the transition from conventional diesel to LNG, emphasizing its environmental and efficiency benefits. "This is a game changer in the global shipping business," Kunji said. Unlike diesel, LNG is less polluting and more fuel-efficient, with the added advantage that ships can switch to diesel if LNG supplies are exhausted mid-voyage.

The MSC ROSE, owned by the Aponte family and headquartered in Switzerland, has a cargo capacity of 15,500 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units). Each TEU corresponds to the volume of a standard 20-foot intermodal container. According to Kunji, this vessel is just the beginning, with even larger container carriers expected to arrive in India, reflecting the nation's growing importance in global trade.

"This development is a good reason for all to turn green and go green," remarked a shipping executive from a foreign company, highlighting the broader implications of this shift towards sustainable fuel in the maritime industry. As India continues to play a major role in global commerce, the adoption of LNG-powered ships at its ports symbolizes a commitment to greener and more efficient trade practices.

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