Lok Sabha Question No. 1556 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: Green Shipping
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Faizal P.P. Mohammed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  1556

ANSWERED ON 28.07.2023

## GREEN SHIPPING

1556.SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to implement the status of legal personhood and the rights granted to rivers by the judiciary  and balance these rights with India's developmental goals; and
- (b) the major challenges in transitioning to green shipping in order to reduce carbon emissions from the shipping industry, alongwith the steps taken by the Government to address these challenges?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

- (a) The  Hon'ble  High  Court  of  Uttarakhand  vide  its  Order  dated  30.03.2017,  in WP(PIL) No 140/2015 - Lalit Miglani V/s State of Uttarakhand & others has inter-alia directed to declare Glaciers including Gangotri & Yamunotri river, streams etc. as legal entity/legal  person  in  order  to  conserve  and  preserve  them.  The  Central  and  State Government(s) are already making due endeavors and concerted efforts to protect and preserve the quality of waters in the rivers in the country.

The Hon'ble Supreme Court, however, in SLP (Civil No) 34250/2017 - Union of India & others v/s Lalit Miglani & others vide its Order dated 27.11.2017 has stayed the Order dated 30.03.2017, passed by the Hon'ble High Court, Uttarakhand.

- (b) The  Government  of  India  is  committed  to the  cause  of  sustainable  and environmentally responsible maritime practices. Acknowledging the urgency of addressing  climate  change  and  its  potential  impact  on  both  the  global  and  Indian maritime  ecosystems,  Government  has  devised  a  comprehensive  Policy  through  the

Maritime  India  Vision  2030,  involving  a  combination  of  regulatory  support,  financial incentives,  research  and  development,  and  international  collaboration  to  achieve sustainable maritime practices. Challenges faced for Green Shipping and Decarbonization are given in Annexure-1 : Steps Taken by the Government to address these challenges aregiven in Annexure-2.

## Challenges faced for Green Shipping and Decarbonization

- (i) Adoption of Green Technologies : Although there have been notable advancements  in  cleaner  propulsion  systems  globally,  one  of  the  primary challenges Indian maritime sector faces in its decarbonisation is the adoption of new  and emerging green technologies which requires substantial capital investment, technological readiness, and supportive infrastructure.
- (ii) Infrastructure  Development :  Developing  adequate  infrastructure  to  support green ships also is major challenge, particularly regarding the production of zerocarbon fuels and to make it available across the ports.  This includes establishing bunkering facilities for green fuels, shore-based power supply for berthed ships, and upgrading ports to accommodate green vessels changing needs.
- (iii) Regulatory  Frameworks :  Implementing  effective  and  harmonized  regulations for promoting green practices while ensuring global competitiveness is a delicate balancing act. The regulatory landscape being promulgated through the International  Maritime  Organization  need  to  be  adopted  and  implemented  on Indian fleet, without unduly burdening the shipping industry, especially on small and medium-sized ships.
- (iv) Skill  Upgradation  and  Awareness :  Embracing  green  shipping  necessitates  a skilled workforce proficient in operating and maintaining environmentally friendly vessels and technologies.
- (v) Financial  Constraints :  Financial  barriers  hinder  the  acquisition  of  cleaner vessels and technologies, particularly for the shipowners and operators. Facilitating access to sustainable financing mechanisms  and  incentivizing investments in green initiatives are crucial to overcome this challenge.

## Steps Taken by the Government

- (i) National Maritime Vision 2030 : The Government, in collaboration with stakeholders,  has  developed  a  comprehensive  National  Maritime  Vision  2030 that outlines the roadmap for sustainable growth of the Indian maritime sector. It includes provisions for green shipping and outlines initiatives for decarbonisation of maritime sector.
- (ii) Research and Development (R&D) : The Government is ensuring special focus on R&D projects aimed at exploring and promoting green technologies within the shipping  industry.  MoPSW  in  association  with  the  Denmark  has  established  a Centre  of  Excellence  for  Green  Shipping  and  Gren  Ports  at 'The  Energy Research Institute (TERI)', New Delhi.
- (iii) International Collaboration :  Government is actively engaged with international forums like the  International  Maritime  Organization  (IMO) to  share  experiences and best practices related to green shipping. Collaborating with other nations and organizations enables us to stay abreast of the latest developments and fosters the  exchange  of  knowledge.  Government  is  engaged  in  several  international partnerships projects such as IMO Green Voyage 2050, IMO Glo Litter and IMO Glo Noise 2050 project etc.
- (iv) Regulatory Interventions :  The  Reduction  of  GHG  Emissions  from  shipping  is regulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) through the 'International Convention for Prevention of Marine Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)'.  India  has  ratified  the  Convention  and  all  the  requirements  of  the Convention  for  emission  control  from  Shipping  are  promptly  implemented  on Indian  ships,  as  applicable  from  time  to  time.  This  includes  Energy  Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) and an operational carbon intensity standard called the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII).

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