India's VOC Port Completes 1,500 m³ Green Methanol Marine Bunkering Facility

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 6, the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) of India announced that the green methanol marine bunkering facility at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu has entered the preparatory stage for commercial operation, with commercial service planned to commence by the end of November. The facility was inaugurated on October 11 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and is currently undergoing trial bunkering, safety inspections, and statutory operational procedures.

The storage system of the bunkering facility consists of two 750 m³ storage tanks, supported by methanol transfer pipelines, pump units, and an automated control system. The transfer system is equipped with two transfer pumps, each with a rated flow rate of 120 m³ per hour, and the overall bunkering system has a designed transfer capacity of approximately 120,000 liters per hour. The facility is also equipped with remotely operated valves, an emergency shutdown system, and dedicated fire protection equipment to meet safety management requirements during methanol storage, transfer, and vessel bunkering operations.

The project is funded by India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy through the National Green Hydrogen Mission, with a disclosed funding allocation of ₹353.4 crore (approximately ₹3.534 billion). India's Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways designated VOCPA as the project implementing agency. The project was initially advanced as a 750 m³ pilot bunkering facility and was subsequently developed into a configuration of two storage tanks with a total capacity of 1,500 m³.

The port's location is a key advantage for the facility in providing bunkering services to international vessels. VOC Port is located in southeastern India, near the east-west international shipping corridor connecting Europe and Asia. According to port authority estimates, approximately 80% of cargo vessels on the east-west route pass within 130 nautical miles of Thoothukudi. The port aims to leverage this locational advantage to provide green methanol refueling for vessels traveling between Europe, India, and Southeast Asia, serving not only vessels making regular calls at Thoothukudi but also vessels passing through nearby international shipping routes.