The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways plans to expand its shore-to-ship power infrastructure.
Shore Power
- About: In shipping parlance, shore power refers to the power supply given to a boat, ship, or any maritime vessel when it’s docked at the port.
- Benefit: Shore power technology not only helps to minimise the climate impact of port operations, it also brings public health benefits by reducing the use of bunker fuels.
- It will not only save fuel, but also significantly reduce vessel emissions within the port area.
- Grid Requirements: Shore power has been used extensively for vessels with moderate power requirements—typically less than 50 to 100 KW. For larger vessels with higher power requirements — 100 KW up to 10 to 15 MW.
Initiatives Taken by Government to increase Shore Power
- Power Guidelines for Indian Ports: The Directorate-General of Shipping (DGS), an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, issued ‘Standard Operating Procedures: Shore Electric Power Supply to Ships in Indian Ports’ in May 2018.
- The guidelines were “applicable for ships with power demand up to 150 KW” (small and medium-sized ships).
- The plan is to make it mandatory in a phased manner across all ports and for all vessels calling at those ports.
- New Guidelines: A set of interim guidelines for the safe operation of Onshore Power Supply (OPS) in ports covering the ship-shore interface requirements was issued by DGS in April 2024.
- Harit Sagar Initiative: Under the Ministry’s ‘Harit Sagar – Green Port Guidelines,’ the first phase, which covers switching port crafts (pilot boat, tugs, and so on) to electrical power or green power, was initiated in 2023.
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Director General of shipping
- About: The Directorate General of Shipping, India, or DG Shipping, is an office of the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
- Administration: The Director General of Shipping has statutory powers under the Constitution’s Section 7 of the Merchant Shipping Act of 1958.
- On the administrative side, he is assisted by Assistant Directors General of Shipping and Executive Officers. His technical help comes from his Nautical Advisor and nautical Surveyors.
- Objectives: Issues which affect merchant shipping, administration of law and navigation
- Implementing methods for ensuring the safety of life, property and ships at sea
- Developing the Indian shipping sector
- International conventions related to maritime
- Availability of facilities for training naval officers and ratings
- Seamen employment regulation and their welfare
- Developing the sailing ship industry
- Regulating ocean freight rates in overseas maritime trade
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