VO Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu has cut its net carbon emissions by 45% over four years, according to its first Sustainability Report. Renewable energy now offsets nearly 94% of the port's energy consumption equivalent. Carbon intensity per tonne of cargo has roughly halved in the same period. The port received recognition as a Scope-2 Emission Free Port, meaning its electricity consumption no longer generates indirect emissions. A green hydrogen pilot project, India's first at a major port, is documented in a new case study from IIM Calcutta. The port also launched a generative AI app called PortGPT to support operational efficiency. These steps align with India's broader push to decarbonize its maritime sector. The port's transition from conventional cargo handling to a sustainable hub shows what is possible when infrastructure investment targets both efficiency and emissions reduction.
