While the pilot project makes VOC Port the first in India to produce and utilise green hydrogen on-site, the upcoming green methanol bunkering and refuelling facility is set to establish it as South India’s key hub on the proposed Coastal Green Shipping Corridor.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, has reiterated the central government’s commitment to positioning India as a global shipbuilding hub.
“Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, we continue to make new strides towards achieving our goal of entering the world’s top ten shipbuilding nations by 2030, and top five by 2047,” Sonowal said.
Speaking at the launch of India’s first port-based green hydrogen pilot project at VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district on September 5, Sonowal stated the initiative reflects the government’s broader vision under Viksit Bharat@2047, blending speed, scale, sustainability, and self-reliance.
“The projects launched here will generate thousands of jobs, attract global investments and position Tamil Nadu as a key contributor to India’s economic aspirations,” he said.
The ₹38.7 million green hydrogen pilot facility at VOC Port has a generation capacity of 10 normal cubic metres per hour (Nm³/hr), equivalent to 10,000 litres of hydrogen gas per hour under standard conditions. The hydrogen produced will be used to power streetlights and an electric vehicle charging station in the port colony, making VOC Port the first in India to produce and utilise green hydrogen on-site.
Sonowal also laid the foundation for a 750 cubic metre (m³) green methanol bunkering and refuelling facility, valued at ₹353.4 million. The project is aligned with the proposed Coastal Green Shipping Corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin, positioning VOC Port as a strategic green bunkering hub in South India.
Additional infrastructure projects launched at the event include a 400 kilowatt (kW) rooftop solar power plant, raising VOC Port’s total rooftop solar capacity to 1.04 megawatt (MW), the highest among Indian ports. A ₹245 million link conveyor connecting Coal Jetty-I to the port stack yard is expected to improve cargo handling efficiency by 0.72 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA). Foundation stones were also laid for a 6 MW wind farm, a ₹900 million multi-cargo berth, a 3.37 km four-lane road, and the Tamil Nadu Maritime Heritage Museum.
Upgrading of Tamil Nadu Ports
Sonowal highlighted the transformative impact of the Sagarmala programme on Tamil Nadu’s maritime infrastructure. Over the past 11 years, 98 projects worth ₹937.15 billion have been undertaken across the state’s three major ports—Chennai, Kamarajar and VOC—with 50 projects already completed.
“This is unique growth. More than ₹160 billion has been invested in these ports alone for modernisation and capacity enhancement,” he said.
Paying tribute to freedom fighter VO Chidambaranar on his 154th birth anniversary, Sonowal thanked the people of Thoothukudi for their continued support.
“Whatever projects we are adopting here, we can complete them on time because of the people’s trust and cooperation. This is how the ministry is functioning—with speed, scale and commitment to India’s growth.”
The event also saw the signing of MoUs between VOC Port and Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Ltd (IPRCL) for rail connectivity to the Outer Harbour project, and with NTPC for implementing green mobility initiatives at the port.