As a curtain-raiser to India Maritime Week-2025, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority successfully hosted a high-level, one-day conference on “Green Ports & Shipping - Charting Sustainable Maritime Future” on 1st August 2025 in Tuticorin. 

Organised under the aegis of NAVIC Cell–3 (Green Initiatives & Pollution Control), the event brought together key policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and maritime stakeholders to deliberate on sustainable, low-carbon, and environmentally responsible practices across the entire maritime ecosystem, including ports, shipping, and related logistics. 

On this occasion, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said ‘The Indian maritime sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, not merely as a gateway for commerce but as a champion of climate resilience and environmental stewardship. Guided by Prime Minister Modi's ambitious Maritime India Vision 2030, our ports are embracing sustainable practices globally.’ 

VOC Port Chairman Sushanta Kumar Purohit said ‘We aim to build momentum, raise awareness and foster collaborations that will save India's maritime future. Sustainability is a shared mission. Today it's not just an event it is coming together of ideas, sharing of knowledge and a collective commitment to shaping a maritime future that is sustainable’. 

In his inaugural address, Inland Waterways Authority of India Chairman Vijay Kumar emphasised the need for sustainability in India’s maritime sector. 

He further stated: ‘To realise India’s 2070 net-zero target, the NAVIC Cell of the Ministry is coordinating various efforts to create environmentally friendly inland waterways across India in a comprehensive manner. We are working on many fronts to reduce carbon emissions: we are transitioning towards renewable energy, shifting to energy-efficient equipment, promoting green fuels such as LNG, ammonia, and hydrogen, and upgrading ports’ equipment.’ 

In his virtual special address, T.K. Ramachandran, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) said, ‘we need to develop experience with handling green hydrogen and associated technologies’ 

Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways said ‘working on the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi comprehensive action plans have been charted to implement Green initiatives outlined in the Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Harit Sagar Guidelines, aligning with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Panchamrit goals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. 

The Conference was graced by the esteemed presence of Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI – (The Energy and Resources Institute) and Abhay Bhakre, IRSEE, Mission Director, National Green Hydrogen Mission. 

The conference featured keynote sessions and technical discussions on critical topics, including Decarbonisation in the Maritime Sector, Green Financing and Policy Frameworks, and a Panel Discussion session on ‘Transforming India’s Maritime Sector for the Next Decade’. Subject experts and senior officials from the Inland Waterways Authority of India, TERI - The Energy and Resources Institute, National Thermal Power Corporation, Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Limited, PwC India, Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology, NITI Aayog, Directorate General Shipping, RINA Consulting, Indian Maritime University, Adani Group, DBGT, JM Baxi, and others participated in the sessions, contributing valuable insights into the themes and challenges under each topic. 

The event concluded with a renewed commitment from all participants to advance sustainable maritime practices, fostering innovative solutions and partnerships to support India’s environmental goals.