India’s first National Center of Excellence announced

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has announced India’s first National Center of Excellence for Green Ports and Shipping. Union Minister Sonowal announced the establishment of this center during the ‘Inmarko 2022’ program. Its establishment will also help a lot in the development of Green Port in India.

Objective of National Center of Excellence

• The first National Center of Excellence for Green Port and Shipping aims to reduce carbon emissions in the port, shipping sector in the country and make it carbon neutral.
• With the help of this Center of Excellence, a target has been set to further improve the regulatory structure, as well as prepare a roadmap for alternative technology in this area.
• With its help, a target has been set to increase the green energy source to 60 percent of the total power demand at major ports of India, which is currently less than 10 percent. With its help, the percentage of renewable energy will also increase in this area.

The main focus will be on these five subjects

The main focus of the Green Port and Shipping National Center of Excellence will be mainly on these five themes. Which includes-

1. Policy, Regulatory and Research: With the help of this center, a better policy will be made for the development of port in India, as well as its incorporation will be simplified with the help of research and development.
2. Human Resource Development: The purpose of establishing National Excellence is also to ensure the development of competent human resource for better maintenance and operation of ports in the country.
3. Network: With its help in this sector, it is also targeted to connect major partners and strategic partners, so that the port sector of the country can be further improved.
4. EXPLORE: The mandate of the National Center of Excellence also includes preparation of a roadmap for projects and better utilization of resources.
5. Engage: The help of this center will be taken to promote the engagement of resources and projects, so that a better structure can be developed.

Benefits of National Center of Excellence

• With the help of this Center of Excellence, the use of state-of-the-art technologies will be promoted which will strengthen India’s special initiative ‘Make in India’ in shipping and waterways.
• With its help, it will also help in enabling fasttrack innovation to solve various challenges in the field of port development.
• With its help, development of better human resource can also be done to establish a capable industry.

Maritime Vision Document 2030

• Major ports of India have set a target of reducing carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 under the Maritime Vision Document 2030.
• This vision document is a 10-year blueprint for a sustainable maritime sector and a better blue economy. This is a pilot project of India related to green shipping.