India seeks global partnerships to explore new tech, use of methanol, ammonia as ship fuel

SINGAPORE: An Indian delegation in Singapore has sought to partner with global shipping industry to explore new technologies and the potential of using methanol and ammonia as ship fuels, a senior government official said on Monday.

The Indian delegation is here to participate in the Singapore Maritime Week, which is being attended by over 10,000 delegates from around the world.

“We are here to seek out collaborations for all new technologies and explore the potential of using methanol and ammonia as ship fuels with the shipping industry stakeholders,” Bhushan Kumar, joint secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said on the sidelines of the event. Methanol and ammonia are considered as cleaner alternatives to conventional maritime fuels. Green ammonia and methanol, produced from lowcarbon sources, help in reducing carbon emissions.

“We have to continue working on green fuel. At this stage it may be commercially not very attractive, but we have to optimize and improve the solutions to make it commercially viable,”

Kumar said. Most of the industry key players are here and it is the right time to work out collaborations and partnerships, he said. He further said that India’s efforts towards hydrogen production will also help the industry in energy transition.

“India is taking a lead in green shipping,” he said, adding that hydrogen production will become a reality in India by about 2027. India is setting up hydrogen centres at Kandla, Paradip and Tuticorin ports. Land at Kandla has been awarded to Reliance, L&T and Welspur Groups for setting up hydrogen centres. “The next step is how can we replace this green fuel and replace the heavy fuel in ships. We want to make methanol, ammonia, hydrogen — we are exploring all those possibilities and take a lead in green shipping worldwide which is also the objective of IMO,” Kumar said.

He suggested ship engine manufacturers, ship owners and operators to get together to find out solutions to replace conventional fuels with green fuels.

Kumar interacted with the Maritime Port Authority and Port of Singapore Authority. He also met Singapore Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat.

“We will take the dialogue forward and we have invited them to India,” said Kumar who will continue to meet industry stakeholders during the global event.

NEW DELHI: The government on Monday ruled out possibility of allowing sugar exports in the current 202324 season ending October, the industry’s persistent demand notwithstanding.

Currently, there are curbs on export of sugar for an indefinite period.

However, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) has requested the government to allow export of 10 lakh tonne of sugar in the 2023-24 season, anticipating healthy closing stock by the season-end.

“As of now, the government is not considering sugar exports although the industry has demanded,” a senior food ministry official said.

The country’s sugar production crossed 30 million tonne till March of the ongoing 2023-24 season.

ISMA has revised net sugar production estimate for 202324 season to 32 million tonne. The government has estimated sugar output at 31.5-32 million tonne.

Meanwhile, the government is considering allowing sugar mills to use excess stock of B-heavy molasses for ethanol production this year.

Methanol, ammonia are considered as cleaner alternatives to conventional maritime fuels