VOC Port Accelerates Green Push With New Green Ammonia Plant

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port) in Thoothukudi has deepened its sustainability drive by signing new partnerships focused on green ammonia, clean energy and Green Port certification, positioning the terminal as a future hub for renewable maritime fuels in southern India.

The port has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AM Green to develop a 1 million tonnes per year renewable (green) ammonia production plant at VOC Port. The project will include ammonia handling, storage and bunkering infrastructure, pilot bunkering operations, safety procedures and training programmes, and is expected to support the creation of renewable maritime fuel corridors linking VOC Port with key ports in Europe and Asia.

In parallel, VOC Port entered into an MoU with Bureau Veritas (India) Pvt Ltd to collaborate on obtaining Green Port certification, emissions accounting and measurement, ESG reporting, safety assessments, green bunkering methods and the creation of a Centre of Excellence for sustainable fuels and practices. The port also signed strategic MoUs at India Maritime Week 2025 with Sembcorp Marine’s Green Infra Renewable Energy Farms, ACME Green Hydrogen and Chemicals, and CGS Energy for green ammonia and green hydrogen projects, with total investment exceeding Rs 42,000 crore.

VOC Port Chairperson Susanta Kumar Purohit said the authority aspires to transform into a sustainable maritime centre and aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2026. During a recent visit, New Renewable Energy Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi reviewed ongoing sustainability projects at the port, including a pilot green hydrogen facility, an EV charging station, a 9 MW wind energy project and a soon-to-be-launched 750 cubic green methanol bunkering refueling station, as well as the port’s Digital Twin facility for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.