V.O. Chidambaranar Port signs MoU with Port of Antwerp-Bruges for green and digital port development

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 9 with Port of Antwerp-Bruges International NV (PoABI) and APEC Antwerp-Flanders Port Training Center, both based in Belgium, to explore cooperation in capacity building, green port initiatives and digital transformation of port operations, in a move set to strengthen India-Europe maritime ties.

The MoU was signed by Rajesh Soundararajan, IAS, Deputy Chairperson of V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, and Kristof Waterschoot, Managing Director of Port of Antwerp-Bruges International NV and APEC Antwerp-Flanders Port Training Center VZW. The signing was witnessed by Damien Groetaers, Regional Coordinator for the Indian Subcontinent, Daljit Singh Kohli, India Representative for Port of Antwerp, and senior port officials.

The agreement deepens VOC Port’s engagement with one of Europe’s largest ports and a pioneer in the sustainable hydrogen economy, reinforcing the Indian port’s ambition to lead the country’s green maritime transition.

The three-year MoU aims to explore cooperation through capacity building, training, workshops and sharing of best practices, with a strong focus on greening port operations and integrating digital applications into port management. It aligns with VOC Port’s broader sustainability agenda, which spans solar and wind power, green hydrogen, green ammonia, and green methanol production and bunkering — initiatives that have positioned the port as a model for India’s green transition. The agreement also adds to VOC Port’s growing portfolio of international green energy partnerships as it consolidates its role as a gateway to India’s green shipping future.

During the visit, the delegation received a presentation on the port’s achievements in green initiatives, digital transformation and cargo growth, and toured key facilities including the Green Hydrogen Pilot Plant, the upcoming Green Methanol Bunkering Site, and the VOC Port Heritage Museum.

Speaking on the occasion, Kristof Waterschoot said VOC Port is built on a very long history, reflecting the blend of heritage, innovation, operational excellence and global collaboration underpinning the partnership.

Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson of V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, said the partnership with Port of Antwerp-Bruges International NV and APEC Antwerp-Flanders Port Training Center marks an important step in strengthening international cooperation for sustainable and smart port development. He added that the collaboration would support the port’s initiatives in green transition, digital transformation, technology adoption and capacity building, further advancing its vision of becoming a technologically and globally competitive maritime gateway and its steadfast shift toward clean energy, as articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India’s Panchamrit declaration at COP26.