<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:
"Times New Roman",serif">The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) has
taken a decisive step toward maritime decarbonization by partnering with global
tech leader ABB. Formalized during Singapore Maritime Week, the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) focuses on installing advanced shore-to-ship power
infrastructure across the port's berths. This "plug-and-play"
technology allows docked vessels to shut down their fossil-fuel generators and
draw clean electricity from the shore-based grid, effectively eliminating local
emissions and noise pollution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:
"Times New Roman",serif">The strategic collaboration, exchanged between VOCPA
Chairperson Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit and ABB Singapore’s Mahesh Krishnappa,
aligns with India’s national goals to modernize infrastructure and meet global
climate targets. By integrating ABB’s technical expertise, VOCPA is positioning
itself as a pioneer in sustainable shipping, setting a new environmental
benchmark for ports across the subcontinent. The partnership is a centerpiece
of India’s ambitious "Green Port" strategy. Beyond the immediate
infrastructure, this deal represents a shift in how India’s major ports operate
to meet global climate standards.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:
"Times New Roman",serif">The shore-to-ship power technology—historically known
as "Cold Ironing"—is significantly more complex than a standard
electrical connection. Most ships operate on a 60 Hz electrical frequency,
while the Indian national grid runs at 50 Hz. ABB’s specialized Static
Frequency Converters (SFC) bridge this gap, ensuring a seamless power transfer
without disrupting critical onboard systems like refrigeration or navigation.
These systems handle high-voltage connections, often between 6.6 kV and 11 kV,
to power massive vessels. The technology allows a ship to synchronize its last
running engine with the landside grid before shutting it down, preventing power
blackouts during the switch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:
"Times New Roman",serif">This MoU is a critical deliverable under India’s
national "Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047" roadmap. India aims to
reduce carbon emissions per tonne of cargo by 30% by 2030 and 70% by 2047, with
shore power serving as the primary tool for achieving these
"at-berth" reduction targets. VOCPA is already a leader in green
energy, utilizing existing solar and wind projects to enable vessels to run on
renewable energy while docked. During the same Singapore Maritime Week, VOCPA
signed additional deals to develop green fuel storage for ammonia and hydrogen,
aiming to transform the port of Tuticorin into a full-scale green maritime
ecosystem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:
"Times New Roman",serif">The environmental and economic impact of this
transformation is measurable. A single large container ship docked for 10 hours
using shore power can prevent approximately 60 metric tons of emissions and
save up to 20 metric tons of fuel. By eliminating the use of auxiliary diesel
engines, the port removes harmful pollutants like Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and
Sulphur Oxides (SOx), which improves the health of workers and nearby coastal
communities. Furthermore, because shore power is silent, it eliminates the constant
low-frequency noise and vibrations created by fossil-fuel generators, reducing
the environmental footprint for local wildlife.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:
"Times New Roman",serif">The exchange of the MoU in Singapore highlights the
high-level government support for this transition. Key figures involved include
Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, Chairperson of VOCPA, who is overseeing the port's
transformation into a "Future-Ready" gateway, and Mahesh Krishnappa,
Senior VP of ABB Singapore. Additionally, Vijay Kumar, Secretary of the
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, signaled that this model at
Tuticorin is intended to be a benchmark for all 13 major ports in India. This
partnership positions VOCPA as a frontrunner, attracting eco-conscious shipping
lines that increasingly prioritize sustainability infrastructure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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