Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has secured a USD 70 million investment from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to establish shore power facilities across its terminals, marking a significant step towards cleaner port operations.
The infrastructure will allow berthed ships to switch off their onboard diesel engines and draw electricity from the shore instead. JNPA estimates that the initiative could lower carbon emissions by 63% and reduce harmful air pollutants by as much as 90%. The project is also expected to generate more than 400 jobs.
JNPA has described the financing arrangement as India’s first blue-finance framework for the maritime sector. The port said the transaction represents the first labelled blue financing for port infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region and is among the earliest such projects aligned with the new Blue Finance guidelines under the Indian Ports Act, 2025.
The investment is also being positioned as a first-of-its-kind transaction involving a development finance institution and a state-owned major port authority in India.
Shore power remains relatively new at India’s commercial ports, with the technology yet to achieve large-scale deployment. JNPA expects the IFC funding to help address the initial commercial and operational challenges involved in establishing the infrastructure while allowing the port to develop expertise before potentially expanding the system.
“Funding from international development institutions like IFC will enable JNPA to manage early-stage commercial risks, build operational experience, and bring international best practices, prior to scale-up,” JNPA Chairperson Gaurav Dayal said.
Dayal said implementing the system at one of India’s largest container ports could provide a working model for other ports and emerging markets. The project is also linked to the Centre’s Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines.
IFC South Asia Division Director Manuel Reyes Retana said the investment is intended to help Indian ports prepare for evolving environmental requirements and demonstrate how sustainable financing can support maritime infrastructure.
The project forms part of India’s wider green-port initiatives, including Maritime India Vision 2030. IFC also assisted JNPA in developing a sustainable finance framework aimed at enabling future green and blue capital raising.
JNPA currently operates five container terminals at Nhava Sheva and is developing Vadhvan Port in Maharashtra. The shore-power initiative will cover infrastructure across its terminals, although a commissioning date for the first berth connection has not yet been announced.
Source: Mid-day
