India is advancing towards becoming a global leader in alternative fuel exports in the maritime transport industry with the commencement of construction of its first electronic methanol (e-methanol) production facility at Deendayal Port Authority located in Kandla, Gujarat. This facility was inaugurated in collaboration with the Minister of Ports, Sarbananda Sonowal, and the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel.
Details of the Facility and Methanol Production
This facility is recognized as the first electronic methanol production facility at an Indian port and is part of a broader government campaign to promote clean maritime transport in the country. The project aims to produce green methanol at a significantly lower cost compared to other global producers, specifically $750 per ton, compared to the global rate of $1300 per ton.
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Strategic Advantages of Deendayal Port
Recent research highlights three Indian ports that have strategic advantages in supporting the production of green fuels. Deendayal Port on the western coast of India is one of these ports, currently hosting significant investments in green hydrogen production. Last year, this port awarded a project with a capacity of 1 megawatt for green hydrogen production to L&T Energy, which is part of a larger 10-megawatt project.
Last April, Deendayal Port held the first methanol loading exhibition, which was considered a precursor activity for the electronic methanol facility. With the launch of this facility, India's role in global maritime decarbonization will be strengthened. The $240 million facility is expected to produce 150 tons of electronic methanol daily, utilizing green hydrogen, water, and biogenic carbon dioxide.
Deendayal Port aims to become a significant loading hub for methanol-fueled ships in the Asia-Europe trade corridor.
Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, stated: "The long coastline of Gujarat now supplies the world's ships through Kandla. This facility converts our renewable energy potential into an exportable resource."
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