India identifies four ports for green maritime fuel bunkering

The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has identified Mundra, JNPT, Chennai, and Tuticorin as key locations for the development of alternative marine fuel bunkering in India.

A study conducted by DNV under the International Maritime Organization’s GreenVoyage2050 Programme, in partnership with the DGMA and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, assesses India’s potential to become a regional hub for low- and zero-carbon marine fuels. The report projects fuel demand to reach between 42–65 petajoules (PJ) by 2035 and between 113–293 PJ by 2047 under various scenarios.

The DGMA has outlined a phased roadmap spanning 2026–2047 to establish bunkering operations, expand infrastructure, and develop regulatory frameworks. Additionally, the directorate has set a deadline for commercial vessels entering Indian coastal waters to utilize ethanol-blended fuel, allowing ship owners time to modify equipment and storage tanks.