State-run Shipping Corp of India (SCI) will have to retrofit vessels to run on green hydrogen as India steps up decarbonisation efforts.
The government has revealed a new emissions target for its industrial sector, as it seeks to create demand for alternative fuels.
The country has a target of net-zero by 2070.
The state has approved incentives worth more than $2bn to produce 5m tonnes of green hydrogen a year by 2030.
Refiner IOC, power company NTPC and other industrial groups like Reliance and Adani have announced plans to produce the fuel.
As a result, the government is requiring SCI to retrofit at least two ships to run on green hydrogen-based fuels by 2027.
And all state-run oil and gas companies that charter at least 40 vessels for fuel transport will also have to charter at least one ship powered by green hydrogen each year from 2027 to 2030, domestic media reported.
SCI, which is undergoing a privatisation process, has a fleet of about 60 tankers, bulkers and offshore vessels, according to its website. It also has stakes in four LNG carriers on long-term charters to Petronet LNG and ExxonMobil.
Port plans
Green ammonia bunkering facilities will be set up at a minimum of one port by 2025, the government has also pledged.
All major terminals will be included in this plan by 2035.
India is also seeking to end imports of ammonia-based fertiliser by 2034 or 2035, using domestic green ammonia-based soil nutrients.
The three bidders for SCI are a consortium comprising UK-based owner Ravi Mehrotra’s Foresight Group and vessel demolition buyer Global Marketing Systems; US tanker and bulker owner Safesea Group; and domestic conglomerate Megha Engineering & Infrastructure.
