Why in news? To meet the larger vision of achieving Zero Carbon Emission Goal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has launched ‘Harit Sagar’ the Green Port Guidelines.

Highlights of  Harit Sagar Guidelines – 2023  :

• It envisages ecosystem dynamics in port development, operation and maintenance while aligning with ’Working with Nature’ concept and minimizing impact on biotic components of harbour ecosystem.
• These Guidelines provides a framework for the Major Ports for drawing out a comprehensive action plan for achieving targeted outcomes in terms of quantified reduction in carbon emission over defined timelines, through focused implementation and close monitoring of Green Initiatives.
• Ports are undertaking green initiatives and actively contributing to the fulfilment of the “Panchamrit” commitments announced by our Prime Minister.

Harit Sagar Guidelines – 2023 Emphasizes on:

• It lays emphasis on use of Clean / Green energy in Port operation, developing Port capabilities for storage, handling and bunkering Greener Fuels viz. Green Hydrogen, Green Ammonia, Green Methanol / Ethanol etc.

The objective of guidelines

• To minimize waste through Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle to attain zero waste discharge from port operations and promote monitoring, based on Environmental Performance Indicators.
• This also covers aspects of National Green Hydrogen Mission pertaining to ports, development of green hydrogen facility, LNG bunkering, Offshore Wind Energy etc and provides provision for adopting global Green Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard.

Significance:       

• It is a significant step towards achieving our sustainability goals. These guidelines have been formulated with the aim of promoting environmental friendly practices across all our Ports.
• They are aligned with India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the national policies and initiatives such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change, and the Swachh Bharat Mission.
• They are expected to enhance India’s image and reputation as a responsible maritime nation that cares for its environment and its people.
• They are expected to create new opportunities for innovation, investment, employment, and collaboration in the port sector.

Conclusion:

• The “Harit Sagar” Guidelines -2023 provide a comprehensive framework for our Major Ports, empowering them to create a comprehensive action plan aimed at achieving quantifiable reductions in carbon emissions over defined timelines

‘Sagar Shreshtha Samman Awards 2023’

• The major ports were conferred awards for their all-time best performance on select operational and financial parameters during FY – 2022-23.
• Ports having registered highest incremental improvements were also honoured and they were ranked on the basis of their overall performance during 2022-23.
• The idea is to generate fair and healthy competition amongst the Major ports & motivate them to perform better & better in the coming year.
• The award for the best Absolute Performance for the year 2022-23 conferred to the Deendayal Port, Kandla for handling highest cargo of 137.56 MMT.
• The Jawaharlal Nehru Port received award for achieving major milestone in Turn Around Time while Paradip Port got performance shield on Ship Berth Day Output.
• The Kamarajar Port got recognized in pre-berthing detention time while Cochin Port received performance shield in turn-around-time (non-container port).
• The award for best incremental performance was bagged by Paradip Port for attaining the highest cargo growth rate of 16.56% last year.
• In the incremental category another award was conferred to Mormugao Port for best Ship Berth Day Output
• The award for the best port was conferred to Paradip Port on overall annual performance based upon cargo handling, average turnaround time, ship birthday output, and idle time at berth, operating ratio, pre berthing detention.