After becoming the first port in South Asia to introduce incentives for green ships, Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) now intends to extend the programme to trucks used for cargo transportation. According to port chairman N Vinodkumar, incentivising green fuels and transportation, combined with the transition to a 3MW solar power plant, will aid the port in reducing its annual carbon emissions, currently measured at 32,000 tonnes.
Vinodkumar noted that the port offers discounts on port charges for ships that do not emit nitrogen oxides or sulphur oxides. He emphasised that recognising the carbon footprint is the first step towards addressing it, revealing that the Harit Shrey scheme will be expanded to include trucks using greener fuel. A carbon footprint study conducted by the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK Surathkal) confirmed the port's carbon emission levels.
The MPA's 'Harit Shrey' scheme evaluates the environmental ship index (ESI) score of commercial vessels docking at Mormugao port. Globally, the ESI score ranges from zero, for ships adhering to standard environmental regulations, to 100 for ships that emit no pollutants like sulphur oxides and nitrogen oxides and monitor data for energy efficiency. This initiative aligns with international efforts to incentivise the reduction of carbon emissions, including the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) marine environment protection committee’s (MEPC) target of cutting the shipping sector’s carbon dioxide output by 50% by 2050.
As part of its modernisation drive, the port is undertaking projects valued at ?1,152 crore. While these developments are expected to increase carbon emissions, the port is keen to mitigate this impact. Vinodkumar mentioned that the 3MW solar plant would be operational within the next three to four months, reducing emissions by 10% immediately. He expressed confidence that the port’s carbon footprint would significantly decrease within the next three to four years.
Additionally, the four-lane port connectivity project is expected to be completed by November, with an inauguration slated for December. The port has also embarked on a green initiative, planting 5,000 trees to enhance the green cover, while a dome structure for coal stacks is being constructed to help reduce pollution. Vinodkumar stressed the importance of investment, improvement, and sustainability for the port’s long-term success.
