Goa's Mormugao port India’s 1st on global green ship index

Panaji: The efforts of Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) to incentivise green shipping gained an international stamp of approval with it becoming the first Indian port to be listed on the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) portal. The Union ministry of ports described the Mormugao facility as “India’s pioneering port to implement green ship incentives” for cargo vessels.

MPA’s Harit Shrey programme, which was launched in Oct 2023, was acknowledged by the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH). “The IAPH officially accepted us and put the port on their global map, showing us as the only port in the country to offer green ship incentives,” said MPA chairman N Vinodkumar. “This will definitely help us because Mormugao was mentioned in a meeting in Hamburg, which was held in the first week of Oct. Once other major ports of the country adopt similar incentives, the impact will be much greater.”

The Union ministry said in a statement that MPA’s move to offer discounts on port charges to vessels that use green fuel and emit no nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides highlights the port’s commitment to “promoting environmentally friendly practices”.

The green ship incentives align with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions in shipping. The MPA chairman said that the discounts and incentives will now be extended to trucks used for the transportation of cargo.

Mormugao port joins Japan and Oman as the only ports to offer similar incentives in Asia. Vinodkumar said MPA submitted the Harit Shrey scheme for the IAPH Sustainability Awards under the World Port Sustainability Programme. MPA currently generates 32,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year, and the port is trying to cut that down.

The Union ministry said Mormugao port is now positioned as a key player in “advancing sustainable maritime practices, contributing to international efforts in reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality.”



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