The Shipping Ministry of India announced an initiative concerning a green port project, in order to reduce the CO2 emission of the maritime industry.
As informed, the carbon emissions of the maritime industry, excluding military operations, contributes to 1% of the overall transport sector emissions.
According to the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal the project aims to make the industry fuel-efficient, and a cleaner mode of transportation.
More precisely, the plan involves:
- implementation of sustainable practices in terminal design, development and operation;
- preparation of environment management and monitoring plan;
- regulation of the discharges and effluents in the harbor water and minimization through Swachh Bharat initiatives, large plantation activities around port areas etc.
The usage of renewable power will be promoted for port activities by installation of solar power plants, rooftop solar, wind farms, floating solar plants, etc.
Sarbananda Sonowal also noted that a target of 120 MMT (million metric tonne) has been set for 2024-2025 under the Maritime India Vision (MIV), 2030 in order to achieve the overall target of 200 MMT on National Waterways (NWs).
The estimated target set for NW-2 and NW-16 for the year 2024-25 are 0.60 MMT and 0.01 MMT respectively. The total cargo movement on NWs during the year 2020-21 was 83.61 MMT. Comprehensive development of National Waterway-2 by Inland Waterways Authority of India has been approved by the government at a cost of Rs. 461 crore.
What is more, the project includes construction of Multi-Modal Terminal at Jogighopa, alternate road connectivity to Pandu Port, ship repair facility at Pandu, fairway development, O&M of navigational aids, O&M of fixed and floating terminals, O&M of vessels, consultancy trailing and maintenance of e-portal.
Source: Livemint