THOOTHUKUDI: India’s first dedicated green methanol bunkering facility at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, in Thoothukudi, is expected to commence commercial operations by the end of November, with the port gearing up to emerge as a major alternative, marine fuel supply destination on the east-west international shipping route.
The facility, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 11, has a storage capacity of 1,500 cubic metres through two tanks of 750 cubic metres each. A 2.8-km stainless steel pipeline connects the storage facility with the bunkering point at the jetty, enabling green methanol received through road tankers or vessels to be supplied to ships, said VOC Port Authority (VOCPA) chairman Susanta Kumar Purohit in a statement on Friday.
The bunkering system has two transfer pumps, each with a capacity of 120 cubic metres per hour, and is designed to transfer around 1.2 lakh litres of methanol an hour. Automated controls, remotely operated valves, emergency shutdown arrangements and dedicated fire protection systems have also been installed to ensure safe operations.
Purohit said the port’s proximity to the east-west international shipping route offered a significant advantage, with nearly 80 per cent of cargo vessels operating along the route passing within 130 nautical miles of Thoothukudi, according to port estimates. Its location along the Rotterdam-Thoothukudi-Singapore maritime corridor would enable VOC Port to supply green methanol not only to vessels making regular cargo calls at the port but also to other international ships passing through the route.
The project is being implemented under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, with the ministry of new and renewable energy allocating Rs. 35.34 crore for its development in the shipping sector. The ministry of ports, shipping and waterways has designated VOCPA as the system implementing agency.
The port is currently completing the necessary safety arrangements, statutory requirements and operational preparations ahead of the commercial launch. An expression of interest has been floated to identify a suitable bunkering operator, while trial bunkering and other port-readiness activities are under way.
Purohit said the facility would help position Thoothukudi as a dependable bunkering destination. In the long term, the service was expected to support green fuel production, expand maritime activities and attract industrial investments to the region.
The project is also part of India’s efforts to develop green shipping infrastructure and achieve its net zero emissions target by 2070.
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