- 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.
- 2025Mains GS3 · Q6Achieving energy independence through clean technology by 2047, biotechnology role
- 2026Prelims Q24Vizhinjam port as a structural shift in maritime trade policy
- 2026Prelims Q35Statements on Sagarmala's port-led growth and Sagarmala 2.0 aims
- 2026Prelims Q45Statements on which green hydrogen description and targets are correct
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.