NEW DELHI — The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private‑sector arm of the World Bank Group, has approved a 672‑crore‑rupee loan to the JNPA for the installation of shore‑power facilities at its ports. The funding is part of a broader effort to reduce the carbon footprint of maritime operations in India.
IFC’s investment targets green ports
The loan, announced on 28 September 2026, will finance the procurement and installation of shore‑power infrastructure that allows vessels to plug into the grid while berthed, eliminating the need to run diesel generators for lighting, air‑conditioning and other onboard systems. The JNPA, which manages several key ports along the western coast, will use the funds to upgrade its existing power supply network and expand the reach of shore‑power to additional berths.
Shore power, also known as “cold ironing”, is increasingly adopted worldwide as a means to cut greenhouse‑gas emissions from ships. In India, the Ministry of Shipping has set a target to provide shore power at 50 percent of the country’s major ports by 2030. The IFC loan is a step toward that goal, providing the capital required for the high‑cost electrical infrastructure.
Financial details and project scope
The 672‑crore‑rupee loan is structured as a 10‑year facility with a 5‑year grace period. The JNPA will repay the principal and interest in 12 equal instalments, beginning in 2028. The loan is backed by a credit guarantee from the IFC, which reduces the risk exposure for the borrower and encourages the use of clean‑energy technology.
According to the IFC’s press release, the project will cover the installation of high‑voltage transformers, cabling, and control systems at three major berths. The infrastructure will also include a monitoring platform to track energy consumption and emissions reductions in real time.
Context within India’s green‑energy push
India’s commitment to the Paris Agreement includes a target of reducing maritime emissions by 30 percent by 2030. The JNPA’s shore‑power project aligns with the government’s National Maritime Policy, which encourages ports to adopt cleaner technologies. The loan also complements the World Bank’s broader investment in India’s renewable‑energy sector, which includes a US$890‑million commitment to rooftop solar expansion announced earlier this year.
Port authorities across the country have begun to adopt shore power after pilot projects in Mumbai and Chennai demonstrated significant fuel savings and lower air‑pollution levels. The IFC’s funding is expected to accelerate the rollout of similar projects in Gujarat, where the JNPA operates the largest container terminal in the state.
हितधारकों की प्रतिक्रियाएँ
JNPA के मुख्य कार्यकारी अधिकारी, श्री अर्जुन पटेल, ने कहा कि यह ऋण प्राधिकरण को अपनी स्थिरता लक्ष्यों को प्राप्त करने और परिचालन दक्षता बढ़ाने में मदद करेगा। “यह निवेश हमें जहाजों को स्वच्छ, अधिक विश्वसनीय बिजली उपलब्ध कराने में सक्षम बनाएगा, जिससे उनकी डीज़ल पर निर्भरता घटेगी और परिचालन लागत कम होगी,” उन्होंने प्रेस को दिए बयान में कहा।
पर्यावरण समूहों ने इस कदम का स्वागत किया, यह बताते हुए कि शोर पावर उन जहाजों के लिए, जो विस्तारित अवधि तक बंदरगाह पर रुकते हैं, CO₂ उत्सर्जन को 80 प्रतिशत तक घटा सकता है। ग्रीन शिप इनिशिएटिव, एक समुद्री एनजीओ गठबंधन, ने कहा कि यह परियोजना क्षेत्र के अन्य बंदरगाहों के लिए एक मानक स्थापित करेगी।
व्यापक शिपिंग क्षेत्र पर प्रभाव
भारत के पोर्ट ऑपरेटरों पर अंतरराष्ट्रीय शिपिंग कंपनियों से हरित प्रथाओं को अपनाने का बढ़ता दबाव रहा है।
