V O Chidambaranar (VOC) Port has become the first port in the country to produce green hydrogen with the inauguration of a pilot facility designed to generate 10 Nm³/hr of the clean fuel. Developed at an investment of Rs 3.87 crore, the project will supply power for streetlights and an EV charging station within the port colony, marking a milestone in India’s green energy transition.
Alongside the hydrogen facility, groundwork has been initiated for a 750 m³ Green Methanol Bunkering and Refuelling project costing Rs 35.34 crore. The initiative supports the proposed Coastal Green Shipping Corridor between Kandla and Tuticorin and is expected to position VOC Port as a major green bunkering hub in southern India.
Additional sustainable projects were also launched, including a 400 KW rooftop solar power plant that raises the port’s rooftop capacity to 1.04 MW—the highest among Indian ports—along with a Rs 24.5 crore link conveyor to boost coal handling efficiency by 0.72 MMTPA. Foundation stones were laid for a 6 MW wind farm, a Rs 90 crore multi-cargo berth, a 3.37 km four-lane road, and the Tamil Nadu Maritime Heritage Museum.
The developments highlight Tamil Nadu’s growing role in India’s maritime sector. Over the past 11 years, Chennai, Kamarajar, and VOC ports together have undertaken 98 projects worth nearly Rs 93,715 crore under Sagarmala, with more than 50 already completed and over Rs 16,000 crore invested in modernisation and capacity enhancement.
The event also saw the exchange of MoUs, including agreements between VOC Port and IPRCL for rail connectivity to the Outer Harbour project, and between VOC Port and NTPC for advancing green mobility initiatives at the port.