Kandla Forum 2026 Focuses on Green Hydrogen, Alternative Fuels and Maritime Decarbonisation Projects

Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, hosted Kandla Forum 2026 under the theme “Anchoring Maritime Decarbonisation”, bringing together Indian and international stakeholders to discuss green hydrogen, alternative marine fuels, maritime infrastructure, technology deployment and investment opportunities.

The forum brought together stakeholders from the hydrogen, clean energy, shipping, shipbuilding, engineering, technology and financial sectors, with discussions focused on moving maritime decarbonisation initiatives from industry dialogue towards project development at Kandla.

More than 200 senior executives representing 62 Hydrogen Council member companies participated in the forum. The delegation included electrolyser and equipment manufacturers, energy and industrial gas companies, engineering and EPC firms, mobility manufacturers, shipping and maritime organisations, classification entities and project finance institutions.

Indian manufacturers, developers, offtakers, shipping and shipbuilding companies, financial institutions and other stakeholders also participated, bringing together around 200 senior leaders from across the value chain.

DPA presents Kandla’s green hydrogen and fuel infrastructure

Shri Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME, Chairman, Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, led discussions with the international delegation on the port’s green hydrogen and derivative infrastructure and its role in the maritime energy transition.

The discussions covered Kandla’s existing and planned infrastructure, including power, water and land availability, green hydrogen and derivative production facilities, methanol bunkering and opportunities for investment, joint ventures and technology deployment.

The forum also provided a platform for companies across the green-energy value chain to engage with DPA leadership on potential areas of collaboration and project development.

Kandla develops infrastructure for green hydrogen and alternative fuels

Deendayal Port Authority currently operates a 1 MW green hydrogen plant, while additional green hydrogen facilities are under development. The port has also completed India’s first methanol bunkering trial.

DPA is positioning land, power and water resources to support green hydrogen and derivative production. Kandla is also an anchor port in studies examining an India–Europe green shipping corridor.

The infrastructure development is focused on supporting green hydrogen, methanol and other alternative fuels, along with maritime applications including bunkering and green shipping.

Sector discussions focus on technology and investment

Kandla Forum 2026 used a sector-specific format to facilitate direct discussions between participating companies and DPA leadership.

Sessions covered electrolysers, gasifiers and related equipment; green ammonia, methanol and e-fuels; power, water and land; engineering and EPC; maritime bunkering; shipbuilding; green-fuel-based engines; ship repair; and financing and risk.

Participating companies presented their technologies and business propositions while examining potential opportunities at Kandla involving investment, joint ventures, technology deployment and industrial development.

Delegates tour Kandla port facilities

Delegates also visited Deendayal Port as part of the forum to review its infrastructure and ongoing development activities.

The visit included the upcoming e-methanol facility at Kandla, the first megawatt-scale indigenous green hydrogen plant at the Oil Jetty and the Cargo Jetty area.

The delegation also took part in discussions with DPA leadership on green shipbuilding, ship repair and methanol bunkering, providing an overview of planned activities in these areas.

A technology exhibition was held at the Administrative Office Building in Gandhidham alongside the forum, where participating companies displayed technologies and solutions relevant to the green-energy and maritime sectors.

DPA targets follow-up projects after Kandla Forum

DPA plans to continue engagement with participating companies following the forum and seek expressions of interest in areas where the port is open to investment, joint ventures and technology deployment.

The follow-up discussions are expected to focus on companies exploring green hydrogen, alternative fuels, maritime infrastructure and related industrial opportunities at Kandla.

The forum forms part of DPA’s broader development of infrastructure and partnerships around green hydrogen, alternative marine fuels, bunkering, shipbuilding and ship repair as Kandla expands its role in India’s maritime energy transition.