<p data-path-to-node="2"><b data-path-to-node="2" data-index-in-node="0">NEW DELHI</b> — In an aggressive move to accelerate the green transition across India’s maritime infrastructure, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has officially notified the operational framework and financial disbursement mechanisms for 'Harit Sagar 2.0'. Anchored by a newly approved ₹15,000-crore Union fiscal corpus, the sweeping statutory guideline sets mandatory decarbonization targets for all 12 Major Port Authorities while introducing direct fiscal incentives to stimulate domestic green fuel bunkering, harbor craft electrification, and eco-friendly maritime logistics.</p><p data-path-to-node="3">The comprehensive scheme establishes three core operational pillars designed to position India as a competitive low-carbon maritime transshipment and bunkering hub along primary East-West sea lanes:</p><p data-path-to-node="4">First, the framework introduces a performance-linked bunkering tariff incentive structure. Commercial cargo vessels, container liners, and bulk carriers calling at designated Indian major ports that take on verified zero- and low-carbon marine fuels—specifically green methanol, green ammonia, compressed bio-LNG, or green hydrogen—will qualify for graded harbor tariff and port-dues concessions ranging between 15% and 35%. To qualify, bunkering operations must meet certified life-cycle greenhouse gas emission reduction thresholds audited through digital Port Community System (PCS) registries. Five strategic deepwater gateways—Deendayal (Kandla), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), V.O. Chidambaranar (Tuticorin), Paradip, and Cochin—have been earmarked for the first phase of green bunkering infrastructure build-outs, backed by dedicated port land allocations for fuel storage terminals and automated bunkering barges.</p><p data-path-to-node="5">Second, 'Harit Sagar 2.0' introduces a structured capital subsidy program to fast-track the electrification and repowering of port utility vessels. Under the newly issued operational guidelines, domestic shipyards and vessel operators will receive up to a 30% financial subsidy on the capital expenditure required to build or retrofit harbor craft—such as escort tugs, pilot boats, mooring launches, and survey vessels—with pure battery-electric propulsion, hybrid power units, or hydrogen fuel-cell drive trains. Major port trusts have been instructed to decommission legacy diesel-powered tugs older than 15 years in a phased manner, ensuring that at least 50% of harbor fleet movements within port basins achieve zero-tailpipe emissions by 2030, scaling to 100% compliance by 2035.</p><p data-path-to-node="6">Third, the directive mandates strict onshore power supply (OPS) compliance, commonly known as cold-ironing. All Major Port Authorities are required to equip operational container, bulk, and cruise berths with high-voltage shoreside electric grids. Commercial vessels berthing for more than two hours will be mandated to plug into the shore grid to power auxiliary hotel loads and onboard systems, eliminating diesel auxiliary engine operation while docked. To ease the transition for commercial fleet operators, the Ministry has capped shoreside industrial electricity tariffs across port perimeters and provided standardized plug-in interfaces conforming to International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) maritime standards.</p><p data-path-to-node="7">Senior maritime officials at the launch emphasized that 'Harit Sagar 2.0' represents an essential execution milestone under the broader <i data-path-to-node="7" data-index-in-node="136">Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047</i>. By combining capital subsidies with competitive port fee structures, the initiative directly targets the decarbonization of coastal shipping corridors while safeguarding Indian maritime gateways against upcoming multilateral carbon levies and international environmental regulations.</p>