VOC Port Goes Green: Ammonia Plant, Methanol Bunkering and a Net-Zero Target

Thoothukudi’s V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority inks key sustainability partnerships including a 1 MTPA green ammonia facility and Bureau Veritas ESG collaboration

V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port Authority in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, has significantly accelerated its green transition with a cluster of new partnerships targeting green fuels, sustainability certification and renewable energy infrastructure. The announcements signal the port’s ambition to become India’s leading green maritime hub and achieve net-zero emissions status by 2026 — one of the most aggressive sustainability timelines set by any major Indian port.

The headline announcement is a Memorandum of Understanding with AM Green Ammonia (India) Pvt Ltd for the development of a 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) green ammonia production plant at Thoothukudi. The project will include ammonia handling, storage and bunkering infrastructure, pilot bunkering operations, safety systems and specialised training programmes. Green ammonia is increasingly seen as a frontrunner for decarbonising the shipping industry, and VOC Port’s MoU positions it as a potential regional hub for this emerging fuel supply chain.

In a parallel development, the port signed a collaboration agreement with Bureau Veritas (India) Pvt Ltd to support Green Port certification, emissions accounting and ESG reporting, safety validation and green bunkering practices. The partnership will also facilitate the establishment of a Centre of Excellence dedicated to green fuels and sustainability — a knowledge hub that could serve the wider Tamil Nadu maritime ecosystem and attract green shipping business to the region.

During a May 28 inspection visit by MNRE Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi, officials reviewed several ongoing renewable energy and sustainability initiatives at the port. These included a pilot green hydrogen plant — one of the few operational at an Indian port — an electric vehicle charging station and a 9 MW wind power project under development. Sarangi also inspected the upcoming 750-cubic-metre green methanol bunkering and refuelling facility, which, when completed, will make VOC Port one of the few ports in South Asia capable of supplying methanol as a ship fuel.

The port is also deploying a Digital Twin facility — a virtual replica of port operations that enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance and scenario planning. This digital infrastructure complements the green energy investments by improving operational efficiency and reducing energy wastage.

Port Chairperson Susanta Kumar Purohit underscored the strategic intent behind the announcements, noting that the green fuel initiatives are expected to support the creation of fuel corridors connecting Thoothukudi with major ports across Europe and Asia. For India, which is targeting a major role in global green hydrogen and ammonia exports, VOC Port’s proactive positioning could prove to be a significant competitive advantage as international shipping accelerates its decarbonisation journey under IMO 2030 and 2050 targets.