DPA and Assam Petro-Chemicals Partner to Produce Green Methanol
Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) is partnering with Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited (APCL) to transform Kandla Port into a green bunkering hub. DPA will invest in a 60,000 tons/year eMethanol production facility, with APCL providing technology. This initiative, complemented by a biomethanol plant from Thermax and collaboration with SECI for additional supply, aims to solidify India's position in the green maritime fuel ecosystem, offering renewable fuel options for ships and reducing reliance on conventional bunkers.
Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish Kandla Port as a premier green bunkering hub, focusing on renewable fuels to support the maritime sector's transition to cleaner energy. A cornerstone of this strategy is a definitive agreement with Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited (APCL) for renewable methanol production. DPA is set to invest in a facility capable of producing 60,000 tons per year of eMethanol, a sustainable fuel, while APCL will provide the necessary technology and technical expertise under a revenue-sharing framework. This project is crucial for supplying Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO)-compliant methanol, positioning it as a low-carbon alternative marine fuel and ensuring cost-effective bunkering services at Kandla Port.Further enhancing the port's sustainable fuel offerings, Thermax will develop an additional biomethanol plant with a daily production capacity of 5,000 litres. To scale up renewable fuel availability, DPA is also collaborating with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for a planned tender of 5,00,000 tons of green methanol annually within the next two years. These initiatives collectively aim to accelerate India's adoption of cleaner maritime fuels. Kandla Port has already demonstrated its operational readiness by successfully conducting a shore-to-ship bunkering trial, confirming its capability to handle alternative fuels. DPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh highlighted Kandla's potential as a critical refueling point for ships transitioning to low-carbon fuels, thereby strengthening India’s presence in the global green maritime fuel supply chain.
