India's Role in Global Shipping Decarbonisation: Opportunities and Challenges
Key Ideas
  • Global shipping aims to reduce carbon emissions significantly by 2040-2050, presenting India with opportunities in green fuel supply and infrastructure development.
  • Green fuels like methanol, ammonia, and biofuels offer carbon-neutral alternatives, but face challenges such as high production costs and technological barriers.
  • Challenges in adopting green fuels include cost considerations, technological modifications, regulatory issues, and geopolitical dynamics.
  • India's leadership in global decarbonisation includes shaping market-based measures, promoting clean fuel production, enhancing maritime infrastructure, and committing to green shipping investments.
The global shipping industry is undergoing a transformation to reduce carbon emissions due to climate pressures and decarbonisation goals. India is poised to benefit from this shift by supplying green fuels and developing the necessary infrastructure. Green fuels like methanol, ammonia, and biofuels are considered key to decarbonising shipping, although they face challenges such as high production costs and technological barriers. Adopting green fuels in the shipping industry is hindered by factors like cost considerations, technological modifications, regulatory issues, and geopolitical dynamics. Despite these challenges, India is playing a pivotal role in shaping global decarbonisation efforts. It has proposed measures like penalising polluters and rewarding zero or near-zero fuel adopters. India's National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to position the country as a global hub for green hydrogen production, supporting the production of key green fuels for shipping. Initiatives like the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines and the Green Tug Transition Programme demonstrate India's commitment to enhancing green maritime infrastructure. Financially, India has allocated significant funds to the Maritime Development Fund to accelerate investments in green infrastructure, fleet modernisation, and alternative fuels. The country's policies align with global decarbonisation goals, reinforcing its leadership in driving sustainable practices in the shipping industry. Overall, India's proactive approach and strategic initiatives underscore its potential to lead the way in global shipping decarbonisation, capitalising on opportunities while addressing the challenges posed by the transition to green fuels.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2025 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.