Environment
Methanol Bunkering at Kandla Port
GS3 Infrastructure and environmentPrelims and Mains
- Why in news
- On 9 April 2026 the Ministry of Shipping said Kandla Port (Deendayal Port Authority) has advanced methanol bunkering, after a trial shore-to-ship transfer on 2 April 2026.
- What it is
- Kandla Port, run by the Deendayal Port Authority, is a major port on India's western coast in Gujarat. It already handles grey methanol as cargo. Bunkering means supplying fuel to ships, and methanol is a lower-carbon alternative marine fuel that supports the shipping sector's net-zero goal.
- Trial
- A shore-to-ship methanol bunkering trial was held on 2 April 2026 to validate infrastructure and protocols.
- Readiness rating
- After a DNV assessment, the port was rated Level 6 on the IAPH Port Readiness Level scale for methanol bunkering.
- Existing infrastructure
- The port already handles grey methanol and has tank storage, pipelines and jetties.
- Supply target
- The port targets about 500 KTPA of RFNBO-compliant e-methanol by 2028-29 for dual-fuel vessels on the Asia-Europe corridor.
- Next phase
- Ship-to-ship methanol bunkering is planned next.
Don’t confuse with Grey methanol vs e-methanol: Grey methanol is made from fossil fuels, mainly natural gas. E-methanol is made from green hydrogen and captured carbon dioxide, so it is low-carbon.
Don’t confuse with Shore-to-ship vs ship-to-ship bunkering: Shore-to-ship moves fuel from shore tanks to a vessel. Ship-to-ship moves it from a bunker vessel to another ship. Kandla has done the first and plans the second.
Environment: Prelims tests bodies, programmes and the law behind them; Mains asks why plans fall short.
Why it matters
- Helps decarbonise shipping and supports the 2050 net-zero maritime goal.
- Can make Indian ports hubs on green shipping corridors and attract investment and jobs.
Problems
- Green e-methanol supply is limited and costly compared with fossil marine fuel.
- Safety rules, standards and trained manpower for handling methanol are still being built.
Way forward
- Scale up green hydrogen and e-methanol production with clear incentives.
- Align safety and regulatory frameworks with global standards and extend bunkering to other major ports.
Put in your answer
Kandla methanol bunkering trial: Example of a port moving to alternative marine fuels, with a Level 6 IAPH readiness rating.
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UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Green shipping and net-zero maritime goal is a lasting topic, but the release gives few testable facts; no Mains question expected.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.