Transhipment hubs, green shipping on government priority list: TK Ramachandran, secretary , ministry of ports, shipping and waterways

The government has prioritised the establishment of the transhipment port at Galathea Bay in the Great Nicobar Island for ₹65,000-85,000 crore, the ₹45,000 crore mega port at Vadhavan, setting up of a framework for green shipping and cruise terminals, TK Ramachandran, the newly appointed secretary at the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways told Anirban Chowdhury in his first interview. Edited excerpts:

It’s been slightly more than three months since you took charge. What is the brief for you? What are the priority areas?

Ports, shipping, and waterways- we have different priorities for all three verticals. We want to increase cargo plying on inland waterways. In that segment, as well as in coastal shipping, the growth rate is not less than 10%-12%. There are a lot of reforms we want to bring in as far as shipping is concerned, primarily digitalisation of the whole spectrum, including certification and examination of ships and tonnage. Then, of course, there are schemes for ship building; schemes for greening of ships and ports; on ports the focus is on upgradation and automation. We are trying to get the National Maritime Complex in Gujarat ready by next year. Then there are mega projects- like the transhipment hubs in Galathea Bay and the other one in Wadhawan. Galathea should be in the range of ₹65,000 crore-₹85,000 crore. Vadhavan would be around ₹40,000-45,000 crore.

Please tell us about the government’s plans for green shipping
We have to look at several aspects. First is the technology of the ship itself, whether the technology can accept green fuels. The second part is of course the fuel, and whether its supply is available in the market. Then we must make sure there’s an ecosystem at the ports for the fuel to be bunkered: pipelines, storage, berths where the ship can be bunkered. Fourth, we need a legal framework and standards. And finally, we need funding for the entire ecosystem.

What about private participation to fuel these ambitions?

Many ports have now started giving land for making green hydrogen, and we are finding a lot interest: NTPC, L&T, GreenCo, ACME Group, Renew Power, Welspun etc.Offshore wind projects are another top priority project…
Yes, it is another key project for the government. Unlike onshore wind, offshore wind is available for harnessing 24 hours. So, you get much more energy. The CUF (capacity utilization factor) is much higher: 17-20% in terms of onshore and 40% for offshore. Many countries, especially the Nordic countries and UK, have the technology, the wherewithal to evacuate etc for offshore wind We are looking at two pilot projects in Tuticorin and Kandla, as they are the two belts that are seen to have the necessary wind speeds. They are now being bid out.

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