Decarbonisation is becoming a trade imperative for India’s net-zero journey in Port News 20/04/2026 As global supply chains recalibrate India’s pathway to Net Zero by 2070 is often framed as a climate commitment. In reality, it is rapidly becoming an economic and industrial transformation. As global supply chains recalibrate around low-carbon production, energy efficiency, and responsible logistics, decarbonisation is emerging as a defining factor in trade competitiveness. For a country positioning itself as a global manufacturing and export hub, the transition to cleaner energy and infrastructure is not only an environmental imperative but a strategic economic opportunity. Decarbonising trade: The maritime imperative As global supply chains move toward lower-carbon operations, sustainability of logistics systems is becoming just as important as the sustainability of manufacturing itself. Trade competitiveness is increasingly linked not only to what countries produce, but also to how efficiently and responsibly those goods move across borders. Maritime transport sits at the centre of this transition. Over 80% of global trade by volume is carried by sea, making ports and shipping critical enablers of international commerce. For India, the dependence is quite substantial, with nearly 95% of the country’s trade by volume handled through maritime routes, positioning ports as vital gateways to economic growth and global market access. Ports as catalysts of low-carbon trade While shipping carries the bulk of global trade, ports connect maritime and land-based logistics. As a result, ports are emerging as pivotal actors in the decarbonisation of supply chains, with operational efficiency, digitalisation and cleaner energy adoption shaping the sustainability of maritime trade. In this context, forward-looking ports are demonstrating what a lower-carbon operating model can look like in practice. Transitioning a significant share of the power consumption to renewable energy through long-term green power purchase agreements and on-site solar generation, electrification of cargo-handling equipment is what we have focussed on. The maritime ecosystem is also exploring alternative low-carbon fuels and technologies to accelerate decarbonisation. Green hydrogen and hydrogen-derived fuels such as ammonia are being studied globally as potential options for shipping and port operations. At the same time, several ports are piloting battery-electric and hybrid harbour tugs to reduce emissions during port manoeuvring. In India, the Government’s Green Tug Transition Programme is an important step toward gradually replacing conventional diesel harbour tugs with cleaner propulsion systems. Rail-based cargo evacuation is another critical lever. Moving a higher share of cargo through electrified rail corridors instead of road transport can dramatically reduce logistics emissions while improving supply chain efficiency. Integrating electrified double-stack rail connectivity and high rail-evacuation ratios demonstrate how infrastructure choices can significantly lower the carbon footprint of cargo movement. Operational efficiency initiatives also play an important role. Continuous improvement frameworks that focus on eliminating process inefficiencies, inspired by Lean operational philosophies help reduce idle time, optimise asset utilisation and minimise energy waste across port operations. Taken together, these shifts illustrate an important point that, decarbonis