GAIL, DPA and DNV sign agreement to explore LNG bunkering facility at Kandla

GAIL (India) Limited, Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and DNV have signed a Tripartite Cooperation Agreement to explore the development of an LNG bunkering facility at Kandla Port in Gujarat.

The agreement will bring together GAIL’s LNG capabilities, DPA’s port infrastructure and DNV’s technical expertise in maritime safety and LNG bunkering. The parties will examine the infrastructure, supply chain, safety requirements and operational framework needed to establish LNG bunkering facilities at the port.

LNG bunkering infrastructure under study

The collaboration will focus on assessing the requirements for an LNG bunkering ecosystem at Kandla, including fuel supply arrangements, storage and bunkering infrastructure, operational procedures and safety frameworks.

GAIL will contribute its experience in LNG and gas infrastructure, while DPA will provide its understanding of port operations and infrastructure. DNV will support the initiative with technical expertise covering maritime safety and LNG bunkering.

The proposed facility is intended to support the availability of LNG as a marine fuel for vessels calling at Kandla and potentially strengthen the port’s role in India’s emerging alternative marine fuel supply network.

Agreement signed by GAIL, DPA and DNV representatives

The Tripartite Cooperation Agreement was signed by Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority; Anant Khobragade, Zonal Chief General Manager, Gujarat Zonal Office, GAIL; and Ajay Kumar Singh, Business Lead, Marine Advisory, DNV India.

The agreement establishes a framework for the three organisations to evaluate the technical and operational requirements associated with LNG bunkering at Kandla Port.

Focus on cleaner marine fuels

The initiative comes as ports and shipping companies assess alternative marine fuels to reduce emissions from maritime transport. LNG bunkering can provide an established fuel pathway for vessels operating on LNG-compatible propulsion systems, while the development of supporting infrastructure is an important factor in expanding marine fuel availability.

For India, the development of LNG bunkering infrastructure could support the broader transition towards lower-emission marine fuels and contribute to the development of alternative fuel supply chains at major ports.

Kandla’s role in India’s marine fuel infrastructure

Deendayal Port, located on the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, is one of India’s major commercial ports. The proposed LNG bunkering initiative would add to the range of marine fuel infrastructure being evaluated at the port as shipping moves towards lower-carbon energy sources.

The cooperation between GAIL, DPA and DNV will focus on determining the feasibility and requirements for establishing an LNG bunkering facility, including safety, logistics, infrastructure and operational considerations.