National Centre of Excellence for Green Port & Shipping

• 23 Nov 2022

Why in News?

Recently, India’s first National Centre of Excellence for Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) was launched at “INMARCO 2022” held in Mumbai.

• The INMARCO is a quadrennial International Maritime Conference and Exhibition, hosted by the Institute of Marine Engineers (India).

What is NCoEGPS?

• About:
  • It is a major initiative by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MOPSW) towards providing greener solutions.
  • The NCoEGPS will be working under the framework of the Sagarmala programme of the MoPSW.
  • The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is the knowledge and implementation partner for this project.
• Aim:
  • The centre aims to develop a regulatory framework and alternate technology adoption road map for Green Shipping to foster carbon neutrality and circular economy (CE) in shipping sector in India.
    • Green Shipping refers to the use of resources and energy to transport people and goods by ship and specifically concerns the reduction in such resources and energy in order to preserve the global environment from Green House Gases (GHGs) and environmental pollutants generated by ships.
  • India intends to increase the share of renewable energy to 60% of the total power demand of each of its major ports from a present share of less than 10%.
    • This will be through solar and wind-generated power.
• Objectives:
  • To empower ‘Make in India’ in Port, Coastal and Inland water transport, and Engineering by developing state of art technologies and application products.
  • To enable fast-track innovations in order to provide most appropriate solutions to various challenges in these sectors.
  • To create a pool of competent manpower to the industry equipped with state of the art theoretical and practical knowhow.
  • Self-sufficiency in providing short term solutions through scientific studies technology development technical arm in identifying and analysing complex problems and solving issues.
• Significance:
  • It is a major attempt towards realising Mission Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) movement as it aims to transform ports and shipping turn more Environment friendly.
  • The Center will interact with all the ports, shipping, maritime states in understanding their problems and offering solutions through well proven and upstream scientific approaches.
• Related Initiatives:
  • The ports have also aimed to reduce Carbon emissions per ton of cargo handled by 30% by 2030.
  • The Maritime Vision Document 2030 is a 10 Year blueprint on India’s vision of a sustainable Maritime sector and vibrant blue economy.
  • India has been selected as the first country under the IMO’s Green Voyage 2050 project to conduct a pilot project related to Green Shipping.

What is Green Voyage 2050 Project?

• The Green Voyage 2050 Project is a partnership project between the Government of Norway and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) launched in May 2019 aiming to transform the shipping industry towards a lower carbon future.
• The global partnership is supporting developing countries, including Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), in meeting their commitment towards relevant climate change and energy efficiency goals, for international shipping, through supporting the Initial IMO Green House Gas (GHG) Strategy.
• One of the important aims of GreenVoyage2050 is to spur global efforts to demonstrate and test technology solutions.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, consider the following statements: (2015)

1. It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.
2. It is an alliance meant for maritime security only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (d)

Exp:

• Indian Ocean Rim Association for RegionalCooperation (IOR-ARC) is a regional cooperation initiative of the Indian Ocean Rim countries which was established in Mauritius in March, 1997 with the aim of promoting economic and technical cooperation among its members. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• IOR-ARC is the only pan-Indian ocean grouping. It has 23 Member States and 9 Dialogue Partners.
• It aims to create a platform for trade, socio-economic and cultural cooperation in the Indian Ocean Rim area, which constitutes a population of about two billion people. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
• The Indian Ocean Rim is rich in strategic and precious minerals, metals and other natural resources, marine resources and energy, all of which can be sourcedfrom Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), continental shelves and the deep seabed.
• Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Source: PIB