VOC Port Highlights Role of Ports in India’s Hydrogen Economy at Hydrogen Council Business Forum 2026

The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port) participated in the Hydrogen Council Business Forum 2026 in Mumbai, where industry stakeholders discussed the role of ports in developing India’s emerging hydrogen economy.

The forum, held from 6–8 October 2026 at JW Marriott Sahar, brought together stakeholders from the hydrogen, energy and maritime sectors. As part of the programme, Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority and Paradip Port Authority, participated as a panelist in the session titled “Hydrogen Hubs & Ports” on 6 October.

The session was moderated by Nishaanth Balashanmugam, CEO and Director, GH2 India. Other panellists included Captain Prashant S. Widge, Executive Director – Maritime, India & Indonesia, Smart Freight Centre, and Shri J. Senthil Kumar, Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, Kochi.

Ports Emerging as Hydrogen Hubs

The panel examined how ports can support the development of hydrogen hubs and integrate hydrogen into the maritime ecosystem. Discussions covered infrastructure requirements, logistics, energy transition and the potential use of hydrogen across maritime operations.

Ports have an established role in handling energy and industrial cargo, along with access to transportation networks and industrial clusters. These characteristics can enable ports to support multiple stages of the hydrogen value chain, including production, storage, handling, transportation and export.

The discussions also highlighted the need to develop supporting infrastructure and logistics systems as hydrogen and its derivatives become part of the wider clean-energy and maritime transition.

VOC Port and India’s Hydrogen Transition

VOC Port’s participation comes as Indian ports increasingly become part of national efforts to develop green hydrogen infrastructure and alternative marine fuels.

The port sector can provide infrastructure for handling hydrogen and hydrogen-derived fuels while connecting production centres with domestic and international markets. The integration of hydrogen-related infrastructure with existing maritime logistics could also support the development of lower-emission shipping and port operations.

The Hydrogen Council Business Forum discussions therefore placed ports within the broader hydrogen value chain, linking maritime infrastructure with India’s efforts to expand clean-energy production, logistics and export capabilities.