The Hon’ble Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Government of India, visited the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) today, marking a significant event for India’s maritime sector. This visit highlighted DPA’s steadfast dedication to sustainable development, modernizing infrastructure, and advancing the National Green Hydrogen Mission, all in line with the larger vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The Hon’ble Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways has laid the foundation stone for two Centres of Excellence (CoE) focused on Green Hydrogen and Green Maritime Fuels. This significant event took place in the esteemed company of Shri Vinodbhai Chavda, Hon’ble MP (Kutch-Morbi); Smt. Maltiben Maheswari, Hon’ble MLA (Gandhidham); Shri Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME, Chairman (DPA); Shri Nandeesh Shukla, IRTS, Dy. Chairman (DPA); Shri M. Rammohan Rao, IRS, Commissioner (Customs-Kandla); Shri Mahesh Puj, President (Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce & Industries); Shri Rahul Modi, Member (National Shipping Board); along with key stakeholders, port users, trade unions, and DPA officials.
These centers in Gandhidham are designed to promote innovation and global collaboration while nurturing entrepreneurship in green energy technologies. They will also function as platforms for training and engaging stakeholders, reinforcing Gandhidham’s status as an international knowledge hub for green maritime initiatives.
The Hon’ble Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways also launched significant developmental projects of DPA during the visit:
- Launch of Harbour Mobile Cranes to enhance cargo handling efficiency.
- Launch of Telescopic Gangway at Oil Jetty-8 to streamline operations.
- Launch of Waste Recycling Plant for Gandhidham Municipal Corporation, marking a crucial step towards environmental conservation and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
- Launch of Kendriya Vidyalaya School Building, highlighting the port’s dedication to education and community development.
Additionally, the Honorable Minister PSW led the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements between DPA and prominent organizations as follows:
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NTPC to facilitate the mobility of green hydrogen buses.
- Contract with L&T for establishing a 1MW Hydrogen Technology Demonstration Plant.
During the visit, the Hon’ble Minister led a high-level B2B meeting with essential stakeholders in the green hydrogen sector. This meeting encouraged open discussions about opportunities for collaboration, technology adoption, and investments in the production, storage, and logistics of green hydrogen. The Hon’ble Minister highlighted the vital importance of public-private partnerships in reaching India’s sustainability objectives and fostering innovation within the energy sector.
In his speech, the Hon’ble Minister praised DPA’s exceptional performance, highlighting its impressive growth rate of 10.05%, which is the highest among all Major Ports in the nation. The Port’s outstanding operational efficiency has resulted in significant achievements, such as surpassing the 110 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) milestone 30 days earlier than last year and managing an extraordinary 354 vessels in just one month.
The Hon’ble Minister emphasized the National Green Hydrogen Mission, stating, “Deendayal Port Authority is on track to become a Green Hydrogen Hub, marking a crucial step forward in India’s efforts to achieve decarbonization and promote a sustainable future. The initiatives by DPA—such as the allocation of 3,400 acres for green hydrogen production facilities, the development of renewable energy infrastructure, and the establishment of desalination plants—are truly commendable.”
The Hon’ble Minister also unveiled a manual on Bio-Methanol, emphasizing the government’s commitment to green initiatives. Additionally, he distributed appointment letters to compassionate appointees within the DPA’s Traffic Department.During a meeting with stakeholders, the Hon’ble Minister conveyed appreciation for their roles in DPA’s growth journey and highlighted the significance of ongoing collaboration to establish DPA as a leader in the global maritime industry.
The visit ended with a sincere congratulation extended to the Hon’ble Minister by Port Users and Stakeholders, highlighting the port community’s shared commitment to achieving excellence in maritime operations.
