The Government of India clarified that there are no ongoing discussions about privatisation of shipping and ports. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) emphasised that all 12 major ports, which are entirely owned by the Central Government, have not been privatised. However, the government has shown openness to private sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Under these partnerships, private entities can engage in specific projects, berths, and terminals through concession agreements. These agreements involve a competitive bidding process. The terms of the agreement include a revenue-sharing or royalty arrangement.Tamil Nadu pact with Hapag-Lloyd for development of container terminalsTamil Nadu has secured a commitment from German container shipping company Hapag-Lloyd to invest Rs.250 billion for the development of container terminals and logistics parks in Thoothukudi and other parts of the state.The investment is expected to ensure employment opportunities for 1,000 people. Chief Minister MK Stalin is currently on a visit to Spain to attract investments to Tamil Nadu as part of his efforts to make the state a one trillion US dollar economy by 2030.The government said it is undertaking various efforts to develop infrastructure such as setting up container ports, logistics parks, etc, at the four major ports in Tamil Nadu.Contact: Hapag-LloydWebsite: www.hapag-lloyd.comCargo movement through waterways up 700 per cent in 10 yearsThe government’s push for cargo movement by inland waterways (rivers and creeks) has resulted in a 700 per cent increase in ferrying of goods by the greenest transportation mode in the past 10 years.Data shows that freight transported by waterways increased to 126 million tonnes (MTs) in 2022-23 from 18 MT in 2013-14. In the current financial year, 100 MT of cargo was transported by inland waterways till December 2023. Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister, Shipping and waterways, said 32.4 MT of cargo was transported by 12 national waterways in 2022-23 compared to only 6.9 MT in 2013-14, registering a 4.5-fold increase. Till December, these waterways transported 22.1 MT.TERI launches its portal for ports and shipping practices  The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) launched a green-shipping portal to track practices by ports across the country and collate information at national and international levels for ports and shipping practices. TERI released policy briefs on sustainable development goal (SDG) blueprints, which focus on linkages with other SDGs and efficient use of water. The portal tries to incorporate all information related to ports and shipping.Contact: TeriTel: 011 2468 2100Email: mailbox@teri.res.inWebsite: www.teriin.orgRs.1.15 billion allocated for green hydrogen pilot in shipping sector: MNREThe Centre has allocated Rs.1.15 billion for the launch of pilot projects aimed at introducing green hydrogen in the shipping sector, as part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said. This financial commitment is part of a strategy to transition towards clean energy. The scheme guidelines for implementation of pilot projects for use of Green Hydrogen in the shipping sector issued by MNRE outline the initiative’s framework, which is slated to run until 2025-26. The ministry of ports, shipping and waterways (MoPSW) will spearhead execution of these pilot projects.Contact: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)Website: www.mnre.gov.in