Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated India’s first port-based Green Hydrogen Pilot Project at VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port in Tamil Nadu, marking a significant milestone in the country’s clean energy journey. Developed at a cost of ₹3.87 crore, the 10 Nm³/hr pilot facility will produce green hydrogen to power streetlights and an electric vehicle charging station in the port township. With this, VOC Port becomes the first port in India to generate green hydrogen on-site.
The Minister also laid the foundation stone for a Green Methanol Bunkering and Refuelling Facility of 750 m³ capacity, built at an estimated cost of ₹35.34 crore. This initiative, aligned with the proposed Coastal Green Shipping Corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin, is expected to position VOC Port as a major green bunkering hub in South India.
“The mission of Viksit Bharat 2047 is anchored on speed, scale, sustainability, and self-reliance. The projects launched today will create thousands of jobs, attract international investments, and strengthen Tamil Nadu’s role in driving India’s economic aspirations. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, we are advancing towards making India one of the world’s top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and among the top 5 by 2047,” Shri Sonowal said.
Other projects inaugurated include a 400 KW rooftop solar plant, raising VOC Port’s rooftop solar capacity to 1.04 MW—the highest among Indian ports—and a ₹24.5 crore link conveyor connecting Coal Jetty-I to the stack yard, improving efficiency by 0.72 MMTPA. Foundation stones were also laid for a 6 MW wind farm, a ₹90 crore multi-cargo berth, a 3.37 km four-lane road, and the Tamil Nadu Maritime Heritage Museum.
Shri Sonowal highlighted that Tamil Nadu’s major ports—Chennai, Kamarajar, and VOC—have achieved remarkable progress under Sagarmala, with 98 projects worth ₹93,715 crore undertaken in the past 11 years, of which 50 are complete. Over ₹16,000 crore has already been invested in modernisation and capacity expansion of these ports.
On the occasion of the 154th birth anniversary of freedom fighter VO Chidambaranar, Shri Sonowal paid floral tributes, recalling VOC’s contribution to the Swadeshi movement through shipping. “We are carrying forward that legacy by driving India’s port and shipping sector with green energy, innovation, and self-reliance,” he said.
The Minister also thanked the people of Tamil Nadu and Thoothukudi for their continuous support, noting that projects are completed on time because of public trust and cooperation. The event witnessed signing of MoUs between VOC Port and IPRCL for rail connectivity to the Outer Harbour project, and with NTPC for green mobility initiatives. Shri TK Ramachandran, Secretary, MoPSW, and senior officials from the Ministry and the Government of Tamil Nadu were present.
