Gandhidham: India took a major step towards strengthening its green energy and maritime ambitions as Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation stone for the country’s first port-based e-methanol production facility at Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla.
The 150-tonne-per-day plant will use renewable power, water and biogenic CO₂ to produce e-methanol, a green fuel aimed at supporting cleaner shipping. The fuel will be supplied to vessels operating on the Asia-Europe International Trade Corridor.
The project involves an investment of ₹2,300 crore and is being developed jointly by Deendayal Port Authority and Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd. (APCL). The facility will be developed in two phases, with the first phase adding 50 tonnes per day of capacity at an investment of ₹1,200 crore, targeted for completion by January 2027. The second phase will add another 100 tonnes per day at an investment of ₹1,100 crore, targeted for March 2027.
DPA and APCL will hold capital contributions in a 76:24 ratio. DPA’s contribution includes ₹567.32 crore in equity capital, 75 acres of land, desalinated water and renewable energy in the form of green hydrogen. The facility is expected to create more than 3,500 direct and indirect jobs and stimulate a wider green energy ecosystem around Kandla, including transportation, storage and supply infrastructure.
The project is aligned with India’s broader objective of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070, while supporting initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Make for the World. Speaking at the foundation stone ceremony, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said Gujarat’s renewable energy potential and coastline would help position Kandla as a gateway for India’s green energy exports.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the collaboration between Assam and Gujarat, describing the project as an example of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. He said Kandla could develop into a green-fuel hub for global shipping and create new skilled employment opportunities.
Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said the project demonstrates the growing role of the Northeast in India’s clean energy transition, with Assam Petro-Chemicals bringing the state’s industrial capabilities to the Kandla project. The initiative comes amid a broader expansion of India’s maritime infrastructure. The government plans to add 100 new ships to India’s merchant fleet over the next five years and aims to position India among the world’s top five ship-owning nations by 2047.
The ceremony was attended by Kutch MP Vinod Chavda, Gandhidham MLA Maltiben Kishor Maheshwari, Assam government representatives, Assam Petro-Chemicals officials and Deendayal Port Authority Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh, among other dignitaries. The Kandla e-methanol project is expected to strengthen India’s domestic green fuel ecosystem while supporting the country’s ambitions in clean shipping, green energy production and maritime-led economic growth.
