Cochin Port Authority (CPA) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering facility at Kochi, Kerala.
The facility will cater to LNG-powered and dual-fuel vessels at the outer anchorage, inner port limits, and Petronet LNG Ltd Jetty, with an investment of ₹500 crore.
Key Highlights
- The project is aimed at promoting the use of clean and sustainable fuel in the maritime sector.
- It supports India’s vision of Green Ports and aligns with the IMO (International Maritime Organization) target of reducing carbon emissions from ships.
- The initiative will position Kochi as a leading LNG bunkering hub on the South Indian coast.
- The project is expected to commence by the end of the year and generate significant direct and indirect employment opportunities.
- It advances India’s “Panchamrit” commitment towards reducing carbon intensity and achieving Net Zero by 2070.
Significance
- Strengthens India’s maritime green infrastructure under the National Green Port Initiative.
- Promotes energy transition in shipping, one of the key global contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Encourages LNG as a transition fuel, being cleaner than traditional marine fuels like HFO (Heavy Fuel Oil).
- Enhances India’s blue economy and coastal logistics efficiency.
About Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
- Type: Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG.
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Status: India’s second-largest government-owned downstream oil company
- Global Rankings:
- Fortune Global 500 (2020): Ranked 309th
- Forbes Global 2000 (2023): Ranked 1052nd
Refineries Operated by BPCL
- Mumbai Refinery (Maharashtra): 13 MMTPA capacity
- Kochi Refinery (Kerala): 15.5 MMTPA capacity
- Bina Refinery (Madhya Pradesh): 7.8 MMTPA capacity
- Originally Bharat Oman Refinery Ltd (BORL) – JV between BPCL and Oman’s OQ Company
- Has Single Point Mooring (SPM) system, Crude Oil Terminal (COT), and 937 km crude pipeline from Vadinar (Gujarat) to Bina (Madhya Pradesh)
- Became a subsidiary of BPCL in April 2021
Major Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures
- Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL): JV with GAIL and Govt. of Delhi – operates city gas network in Delhi NCR.
- Petronet LNG Ltd: JV with GAIL, ONGC, IOCL, and BPCL – imports and manages LNG terminals.
- Bharat Renewable Energy Ltd: Focuses on biofuels (biodiesel, ethanol, Jatropha & Pongamia plantations).
- Bharat PetroResources Ltd (BPRL): Wholly-owned subsidiary exploring oil and gas assets abroad.
- Maharashtra Natural Gas Ltd (MNGL): JV with GAIL – city gas distribution in Maharashtra.
- Haridwar Natural Gas Pvt. Ltd.: JV with GAIL Gas Ltd – city gas distribution in Uttarakhand.
About Cochin Port Authority (CPA)
- Type: Major Port under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
- Location: Kochi, Kerala
- Reconstituted: Under the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021
- Chairperson: Sanjay Kaul (as of 2025)
- Significance:
- One of India’s 12 major ports and a key gateway for trade in the Arabian Sea.
- Handles cargo types such as petroleum, fertilizers, containers, and liquid bulk.
- Adjacent to Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), India’s first transshipment terminal operated by DP World.
- Plays a major role in coastal shipping and cruise tourism on India’s west coast.
Key Facts
- LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas): Natural gas cooled to -162°C for storage and transport; primarily methane.
- India’s First LNG Bunkering Facility: Commissioned by Petronet LNG at Kochi in collaboration with Shell and GAIL (pilot phase).
- LNG Bunkering: The process of supplying LNG to ships for use as fuel, reducing emissions like SOx, NOx, and CO₂.
- International Maritime Organization (IMO): UN agency responsible for regulating shipping safety, security, and emissions (headquarters: London).
- Make in India & Atmanirbhar Bharat: Central government initiatives to boost domestic manufacturing, technology development, and self-reliance.