New Updates:

Current Affair Details

India’s Green Maritime Journey (English Text Only)

India’s green maritime journey aims to balance economic growth with environmental protection. Through green ports, renewable energy, clean fuels, reduced emissions, and a circular economy approach, India is moving towards a sustainable, safe, and climate-resilient ocean economy.

2025-12-18 01:57:37 | Admin

1. Why Green Maritime Transition Matters
Ports handle ~95% of India’s external trade by volume, making them critical to economic growth.
Rapid port expansion has intensified GHG emissions, marine pollution, and coastal ecosystem stress (mangroves, coral reefs, lagoons).
Green maritime policy integrates economic growth + climate action + ocean governance, aligning with the Blue Economy framework.
2. Key Data for Prelims & Mains
Cargo handled by major ports (FY 2024–25): 855 million tonnes
Cargo handled (FY 2014–15): 581 million tonnes
Decadal growth: 47.16%
India’s net-zero target: 2070
IMO target: 40% CO₂ reduction from shipping by 2030
3. Legal & Institutional Reforms
Indian Ports Act, 2025:
Replaces colonial Indian Ports Act, 1908
Institutionalises clean, green, and sustainable port operations
Aligns Indian port governance with MARPOL and Ballast Water Management Convention
Significance:
Moves India from port expansion to port sustainability governance
4. Strategic Vision Documents
Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030:
150+ initiatives
Focus areas: renewable energy, emission reduction, waste management, water efficiency, zero-accident safety
Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047:
Investment: ₹80 lakh crore
300+ initiatives across ports, shipping, inland waterways, shipbuilding
Goal: India among top global maritime powers by 2047
5. Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines 2023
Operational framework to implement India’s COP26 commitments
Core Targets:
Carbon emissions per tonne of cargo:
30% reduction by 2030
70% reduction by 2047
Renewable energy share:
>60% by 2030
>90% by 2047
Electrification of port equipment:
>50% by 2030
>90% by 2047
Green cover:
>33% by 2047
Value addition: Converts climate pledges into measurable port-level actions
6. Best Practices & Case Studies (Mains Enrichment)
New Mangalore Port:
Achieved 100% solar power integration (national benchmark)
Mormugao Port:
First Indian port to introduce Environmental Ship Index (ESI)-based green incentives
VOC Port:
Declared Zero Fatal Accident Zone (2019–2021)
Paradip Port:
Large-scale dust suppression, oil-spill response, plantation drives
7. Technological Interventions
Renewable energy: Rooftop solar, floating solar, wind, tidal energy pilots
Shore-to-Ship Power Supply: Reduces emissions from berthed vessels
LNG bunkering: ~80% lower emissions compared to diesel
Electric material-handling equipment: cranes, loaders, forklifts
Centralised real-time HSE monitoring dashboards
8. Circular Economy in Ports
Dredged material recycling for:
Land reclamation
Beach nourishment
Shoreline protection
Strengthens resource efficiency + coastal resilience
9. Worker Safety & Social Sustainability
Zero-Accident Safety Programme
Occupational health infrastructure:
24×7 medical services
Mumbai Port’s 200-bed hospital; upcoming 600-bed PPP hospital
Gender dimension:
Women seafarers increased 10-fold, supported by better health standards
10. Flagship Green Maritime Initiatives
Sagarmala Programme:
₹5.8 lakh crore investment by 2035
Reduces logistics cost while promoting green infrastructure
Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP):
Shift to hybrid and green-fuel harbour tugs
Harit Nauka Initiative:
100% green inland vessels by 2047
National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023):
Target: 5 million tonnes/year by 2030
Ports as hydrogen hubs: Kandla, Paradip, Thoothukudi
11. International Cooperation
Green shipping & port partnerships with:
Denmark, Norway, Singapore, Netherlands, Malta, Russia
Focus:
Green fuels, digital corridors, maritime technology, training
12. Governance Innovation
National Centre of Excellence for Green Ports and Shipping (NCoEGPS)
MoPSW–TERI partnership
Research, policy support, technology adoption
Significance: Knowledge-based transition to green maritime governance
13. Linkages for GS Answers
GS-III: Infrastructure, Environment, Climate Change, Energy
GS-II: Governance reforms, international cooperation
Essay: Sustainable development, climate leadership, blue economy
Ethics: Inter-generational equity, environmental stewardship
14. Concluding Value Statement (Ready-to-Use Line)
“India’s green maritime transition reflects a shift from port-led growth to planet-sensitive port governance, positioning the country as a responsible maritime power aligned with global climate goals.”

Go to the Website

Other Related Articles

Lattice Lunch: Investing in Caregiving and Leading with Empathy

The Path profiles people working in what we think of as "dream jobs," living their best professional life, and looks at the people

Lattice Lunch: Investing in Caregiving and Leading with Empathy

The Path profiles people working in what we think of as "dream jobs," living their best professional life, and looks at the people

Related Categories View All

Upcoming Examination View All

  • OTR

    Instructions for online one time registration:
    a valid and active email
    a valid mobile number
    Create a strong Alpha Numeric Password
    Full name as per 10th Marksheet and again to fill the same name to Verify Candidate Name Tab
    Candidate’s Mother and Father Name
    Candidate Date of Birth
    ID Type. The three acceptable IDs are Aadhaar Card, Pan Card and Driving License
    Gender
    There are certain questions while completion of Registration because if the person fails to remember his login credentials, then using these security questions, he will be able to login.The Questions are as follows:
    Which year did you complete your 10th/Matric?
    What is the short name of 10th Board?
    What is your Seat/Roll number of 10th/Matric?
    Which year did you complete your 12th/Intermediate/Diploma/ITI?
    What is your Blood Group?
    Who is your favourite sportsperson?

    Go to the Website

  • UPSC Exam (Registration and form)

    OTR and other segments of form will be filled through a common platform
    Click on the link, first three sections need to be completed for OTR
    1. Manage Account
    2. Universal Registration
    3. Common Application Form
    4. Examination

    Go to the Website