India aims at becoming ‘Global Hub for Green Ship’ building by 2030 with launch of Green Tug Transition Programme(GTTP): Union Minister

Source: The post is based on the article “India aims at becoming ‘Global Hub for Green Ship’ building by 2030 with launch of Green Tug Transition Programme(GTTP): Union Minister” published in PIB on 22nd March 2023

What is the News?

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) has said India aims at becoming ‘Global Hub for Green Ship’ building by 2030 with the launch of the Green Tug Transition Programme(GTTP).

The minister also inaugurated India’s first National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) in Gurugram,Haryana.

What is the Green Tug Transition Programme(GTTP)?

Aim: To convert all tugboats working in the country into ‘Green Hybrid Tugs’, running on non-fossil fuel like Methanol, Ammonia, and Hydrogen.

Note: Tugs are special boats that assist other vessels into and out of port. The primary purpose of these boats is to help move larger ships by towing, pushing, and guiding.

Target: The Ministry of Ports has set a target for the initial Green Tugs to start working in all Major Ports by 2025.

The programme will start with ‘Green Hybrid Tugs’, which will be powered by Green Hybrid Propulsion systems and subsequently adopt non-fossil fuel solutions (like Methanol, Ammonia, and Hydrogen).

At least 50% of all the Tugs are likely to be converted into Green Tugs by 2030, which will considerably reduce emissions as the country moves towards achieving sustainable development.

What is the National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS)?

Located at: Gurugram, Haryana

Setup by: NCoEGPS is the result of a collaboration between the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, the Government of India and the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). 

Purpose: The centre will engage in developing the regulatory framework and alternative technology adoption roadmap for green shipping in India.

– It will act as a technological arm of MoPSW for providing the needed support on Policy, Research and Cooperation in Green Shipping areas.

Significance: The Centre is aimed at playing a crucial role towards the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 14) to sustainably manage and protect marine & coastal ecosystems from pollution, conservation & sustainable use of ocean-based resources.