VOC Port in Tuticorin to transform into India’s first green hydrogen hub under PM Modi’s vision

PM Modi to unveil initiatives, boosting trade with Russia and transforming VOC Port into a transshipment hub.

In a landmark development, the VOC Port in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, is set to become India’s first green hydrogen hub, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils a series of initiatives on February 28. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced that the port will establish an ecosystem of green ports and emerge as a transshipment hub, fulfilling the Prime Minister’s commitment to transforming it into a key transshipment hub on India’s east coast.

Chennai is poised to become the gateway to the Eastern Maritime Corridor to Vladivostok, Russia, fostering increased bilateral trade between the two countries. Minister Sonowal highlighted that the Prime Minister will lay the foundation for 36 transformative projects, totaling over Rs 17,000 crore, marking a significant step towards achieving “Viksit Bharat @ 2047.”

Approximately 30 projects, valued at ₹ 10,324 crore, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways will be launched, initiated, or dedicated by the Prime Minister. Notably, six of these projects, totaling ₹ 7,587 crore, are concentrated on Tamil Nadu’s two ports.

The ₹ 7,056 crore Outer Harbour Container Terminal project at VOC Port is expected to position it as a major transshipment hub on India’s east coast. This project will substantially enhance the port’s container capacity, contributing to the economic growth of the state. Additionally, it will result in significant annual savings in logistical costs and time.

VOC Port is poised to become India’s pioneering green hydrogen production hub on a large scale. Minister Sonowal revealed that 500 acres of land have been earmarked for this purpose, and a memorandum of understanding with NTPC has been signed to establish a green hydrogen production facility.

In a groundbreaking move, Cochin Shipyard Limited’s indigenously produced hydrogen fuel cell ferry, Atmanirbhar Bharat, will be launched for the first time in the country. Minister Sonowal emphasised that this zero-emission, zero-noise vessel signifies a pivotal moment for India’s future as a hydrogen fuel vessel manufacturer.

The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) is committed to converting two existing ships to run on green hydrogen, with a target to convert at least half of all tugs to green tugs by 2030, he added.

The Chennai-Vladivostok maritime corridor is set to revolutionize freight transportation between India and Far East Russia. This corridor will significantly reduce transportation time by up to 16 days, from 40 to 24 days, and decrease the distance by up to 40 percent. The current distance between Mumbai Port and the Port of St. Petersburg via the Suez Canal is 16,066 km, whereas the distance from Chennai Port to Vladivostok Port via the Eastern Maritime Corridor is only 10,458 km, resulting in substantial cost savings and improved cargo transportation efficiency between the two countries.