News Desk: India took a significant step towards developing green maritime fuel infrastructure with the laying of the foundation stone for the country’s first port-based e-methanol production facility at Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla on Saturday. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma jointly laid the foundation stone for the project. The facility will have a total production capacity of 150 tonnes of e-methanol per day and will use renewable power, water and biogenic carbon dioxide to produce the green fuel. The e-methanol is expected to be supplied to ships operating on the Asia-Europe International Trade Corridor.
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The project involves an investment of ₹2,300 crore and is expected to generate more than 3,500 direct and indirect jobs. It is being jointly developed by DPA and Assam-based Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd (APCL), with the partnership structured in a 76:24 capital contribution ratio. The project will be implemented in two phases. The first phase, involving 50 tonnes per day of production capacity and an investment of ₹1,200 crore, is targeted for completion by January 2027. The second phase will add another 100 tonnes per day at an investment of ₹1,100 crore, with completion targeted for March 2027. DPA’s contribution includes equity capital of ₹567.32 crore, 75 acres of land, desalinated water and renewable energy in the form of green hydrogen. The project is expected to support the development of a wider green-energy ecosystem around Kandla, including transportation, storage and supply infrastructure for green fuels.
Speaking at the event, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the project would strengthen Gujarat’s position as a gateway for India’s green energy exports. Sonowal said the facility demonstrated the growing cooperation between Assam and Gujarat and would contribute to India’s emergence as a producer of clean fuels for global shipping. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the project demonstrated the role of Assam-based enterprises in India’s clean-energy transition, with APCL carrying the state’s industrial capabilities from Namrup to Kandla. The project is aligned with India’s long-term objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 and the broader push for cleaner fuels in the maritime sector.
