Energy transition and AI are reshaping shipping

PORTS AND ALLIED infrastructure development are at the heart of India's ambitions to become a maritime heavyweight.

- MAIJO ABRAHAM

JM Baxi, one of the leading providers of marine services and ports and logistics, is a driving force behind this change. In an exclusive interview, Dhruv Kotak, managing director of JM Baxi, talks about the future of shipping, the Chinese challenge and how technology is becoming a change agent. Excerpts:

Q/ Shipping is already one of the greenest ways to transport goods. When we talk about making it greener, what are the kind of changes we are looking at?

A/ Shipping is one of the most environmentally efficient modes of transportation because of its low carbon emission per unit of cargo. But it still contributes about 3 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

In the last decade, there has been an increase of 20 per cent [in emissions] and projections show that it could increase by up to 130 per cent from the 2008 levels by 2050. So, while it may be the most efficient option for moving goods, calling it “green” doesn’t fully capture the scale of its environmental impact.

From a regulatory perspective, shipping is already undergoing major changes. There is a strong drive towards adopting green fuels, including hydrogen-based fuels like ammonia, direct hydrogen, and even lower-carbon fuels like LNG. Shipping is doing its part with strict IMO regulations, stringent emission norms, eco-focused engine designs and advances in fuel standards, all contributing to a greener industry.

India, for instance, is stepping up by building green hydrogen hubs at various ports. These hubs will play a key role in supporting the global green bunker fuel programme, preparing India to be a major contributor when this shift accelerates globally.