Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates green hydrogen pilot plant at VOC Port

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday inaugurated a green hydrogen pilot plant and laid the foundation for several port projects at V O Chidambaranar (VOC) Port, Tamil Nadu.

With a capacity of 750 m3, the project supports the use of alternative fuels, aligns with the planned Coastal Green Shipping Corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin and will help position VOC Port as a key hub for green fuel bunkering.

Highlighting the Sagarmala programme’s role in empowering coastal communities, Sonowal said new fishing harbours at Koonthookal, Pompuhar, Sinamoton, and MukaIyard are creating sustainable livelihood opportunities. “Through Sagarmala, we are strengthening livelihoods and unlocking the economic potential of our coastal regions,” he noted.

The Minister underscored that maritime innovation and connectivity under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership are redefining Tamil Nadu’s role in India’s growth story. “We are reclaiming India’s maritime legacy through commerce, connectivity, innovation and cooperation,” he said, adding that Tamil Nadu is emerging as a hub for maritime innovation.

He further highlighted contributions from the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways and Coasts at IIT Chennai in delivering engineering solutions, while also noting Chennai’s successful hosting of the “first-of-its-kind Maritime Hackathon – Marathon 2025” to foster innovation and collaboration.