Kandla Port Set to Become India’s Green‑Fuel and Shipping Hub

When you think of Kandla, the first image that pops up is usually a busy cargo terminal on the Gujarat coast. This October, that image is getting a fresh coat of green – courtesy of the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA). In a series of announcements that felt part‑press conference, part‑brainstorm, the authority said it is grooming Kandla to become a magnet for green fuels, clean‑energy shipping and even next‑generation shipbuilding.

The marquee event, Kandla Forum 2026, was themed “Anchoring Maritime Decarbonisation”. It gathered a colorful mix of global and Indian players – from hydrogen‑technology firms and electrolyser makers to big‑ticket financiers and classification societies. Roughly 62 companies that belong to the Hydrogen Council were in the room, together with Indian shipyards, energy majors and a handful of investors looking for the next big thing in low‑carbon maritime logistics.

“We want a platform where world‑class expertise, technology and capital meet India’s own green‑maritime ambition,” said Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of DPA. He walked the audience through the port’s existing assets – ample power supply, water, and land – and how these could be marshalled for green‑hydrogen production, methanol bunkering and even the manufacture of low‑emission vessels.

India has already moved a mountain of cargo through its ports – over 915 million tonnes in the 2025‑26 fiscal year alone – but the emphasis now is shifting from sheer volume to sustainability. The DPA’s vision dovetails with the country’s pledge to hit net‑zero emissions by 2070, and the forum was deliberately designed to fast‑track that transition.

International delegates exchanged business cards with Indian developers, while finance houses probed the economics of scaling up green‑hydrogen electrolyzers on site. Some participants even hinted at joint‑venture structures that could see private money flowing into a cluster of “green‑energy value chain” projects – from hydrogen generation to methanol bunkering facilities that would let ships refuel without puffing out black‑smoke.

Beyond fuels, the port is also eyeing a revival of ship repair and new‑build capabilities. Earlier this year, the cabinet gave the nod to a ₹1,570‑crore ship‑repair complex in nearby Vadinar, a clear sign that the government is backing the broader maritime ecosystem.

What does this mean for the everyday trader or the sailor gliding through the Arabian Sea? In the long run, cheaper, cleaner fuel options could lower operating costs, while a home‑grown shipbuilding hub might reduce reliance on foreign yards. For now, it’s an invitation – a call for global players to drop anchor at Kandla, pitch ideas, and perhaps, co‑author the next chapter of India’s green‑maritime story.