Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy, mobilization of resources, changes in industrial policy.

Relevance: GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.

Key phrases: Shipping service, green port, Maritime India Vision-2030, Electricity-powered, Project Green Ports.

Why in News?

• Cochin Port Trust has unveiled a slew of green initiatives under the Maritime India Vision 2030, aimed at shifting its operations completely to solar power by 2030.

Background:

• According to the Ministry of Shipping, around 95% of India's trading by volume and 70% by value is done through maritime transport.
• India has 12 major and 205 notified minor and intermediate ports. Under the National Perspective Plan for Sagarmala, six new mega ports will be developed in the country.
• India’s key ports had a capacity of 1,534.91 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in FY20. In FY21, all key ports in India handled 672.60 million tonnes (MT) of cargo traffic

Environmental effect of Port Activity in India:

GHGs and Air pollution: All ships activities are responsible of air pollutants emissions and particularly: ships movement in port, ships activities in hotelling phase (lighting, heating, refrigeration, ventilation, etc.), tanker loading and unloading. Emissions from ships at berth is estimated to be approximately 10 times greater than those from the ports' own operations.

Pollution of water: In port and in its neighbourhood there are different sources of water pollution from ships:

• Oil of bilge and motor fuel leakage from ships and gasoline and diesel oil leakage from pleasure crafts;
• Accidental leakage of oil and chemical substances in loading and unloading of products;
• Pollution from slop (residual of chemical products contained in the tanks and of the product used in the washing operations) either in the case in which it is treated and in the case in which it is unauthorized discharged (tanks washing close to the coast);
• Leaching of antifouling paints (particularly containing organotin tributyltin) used to coat the bottoms of ships to prevent sealife such as algae and mollusks attaching themselves to the hull - thereby slowing down the ship and increasing fuel consumption;

Wastes production: During ships operation a number of waste products are generated on board the ship. Depending on trade and area the ship is operating in, the ship must collect the waste to be discharged ashore at ships call.

What should be done for Greening of Port?

Utilization of Shore-power: It is considered an important way to cut emissions and save costs for shipping companies. It is also a quicker and cheaper short-term solution for allowing shipping companies to meet emissions targets – particularly those related to emission control areas.

Emissions from ships at berth is estimated to be approximately 10 times greater than those from the ports' own operations. “So, there is a greater potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships in ports than from port activities on the land-side.

Electricity-powered: The growth of electricity-powered operations in ports can be a key driver in bringing down emissions. Many ports are considering investment in shore power, which allows docking vessels to ‘plug-in’ to power units berthed within the port complex – reducing the need to draw power from generators, reducing fuel consumption. Ex. Electric Catamaran Water Taxi deployment is being considered at Varanasi and Guwahati in first phase.

Low and zero-emission fuels: Renewable fuels for vessels; cargo-handling equipment; or the storage, generation, and transportation as a business model are all areas where low and zero-emission fuels can make an impact in ports. Green hydrogen is zero-emission, generated through renewable electrolysis. Blue hydrogen is generated through fossil fuels, however carbon emissions are captured and stored safely. Hydrogen is in development in ports in cargo-handling equipment and, in the future, potentially hydrogen-powered vessels. Ex. use of Hybrid Electric Roll on -Roll off (Ro-Ro) vessels having dual fuel system (LNG+ battery) is being considered at Guwahati for river crossings.

Intermodal: Many in industry have highlighted investment in intermodal freight solutions as opposed to trucking to reduce port carbon consumption. Intermodal trade will become more important for container ports as e-commerce forces importers and exporters to bring their supply chains closer to destination markets.

Way Forward:

In order to achieve these objectives, regular training will be provided to the staff in order to generate awareness and inculcate a positive attitude towards keeping the environment clean and green. All the Major Ports have already initiated action on the above mentioned activities and are making good progress.

The pace at which the Green initiatives are undertaken by the 12 major ports will surely bring a green revolution in the sector making the ports cleaner and greener, which is also a key component of ‘Blue Economy’, creating environmental benefits and balancing the investments and cash flow.

Source: The Hindu BL

Mains Question:

Q. Discuss the scope of Maritime India Vision-2030 to propelling India to the fore­front of the global maritime sector in the next decade. Critically analyse.