In a significant step towards advancing India’s green hydrogen ambitions and sustainable maritime infrastructure, AM Green has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) to develop VOC Port in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, into a major green ammonia production and bunkering hub.
- Green Ammonia Bunkering Capacity to Reach 500,000 TPA
- ₹15,000 Crore Green Ammonia Production Facility Planned
- Renewable Energy Backbone to Support Production
- Tuticorin Emerging as a Green Fuel Gateway
- Leadership Highlights Strategic Importance
- Supporting Decarbonisation of Global Shipping
- AM Green Expands Green Molecules Portfolio
- Outlook
The collaboration aims to establish one of India’s largest green fuel ecosystems, supporting both domestic and international demand for low-carbon marine fuels while strengthening the country’s position in the global energy transition.
Green Ammonia Bunkering Capacity to Reach 500,000 TPA
Under the agreement, AM Green and VOCPA will jointly develop green ammonia bunkering infrastructure capable of handling up to 200,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) by 2029-30, backed by an estimated investment of ₹2,000 crore.
The partners have also outlined plans to expand bunkering capacity to 500,000 TPA by 2035, with cumulative investments expected to reach ₹5,000 crore, depending on market demand and the pace of adoption of green marine fuels.
The project will include the development of advanced bunkering infrastructure and pilot operations designed in line with global best practices for the storage, handling, and supply of green ammonia to ships.
₹15,000 Crore Green Ammonia Production Facility Planned
As part of the broader initiative, AM Green has committed to developing a 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) green ammonia production facility near the port.
The proposed manufacturing complex will require an investment of approximately ₹15,000 crore, with VOCPA providing institutional support and infrastructure facilitation to accelerate project implementation.
The company has already completed a substantial portion of land acquisition activities required for the green hydrogen and green ammonia complex.
Once operational, the facility is expected to become one of the world’s largest green ammonia plants compliant with international renewable fuel standards.
Renewable Energy Backbone to Support Production
To power the large-scale green ammonia project, AM Green plans to invest approximately ₹35,000 crore in renewable energy generation infrastructure.
The renewable power capacity will support the production of green hydrogen, a critical feedstock used in manufacturing green ammonia through electrolysis powered by clean energy.
Combined, the green ammonia plant, renewable energy infrastructure, and bunkering facilities represent a total planned investment of approximately ₹57,000 crore.
The development aligns with AM Green’s broader objective of establishing more than 4 million tonnes per annum of green ammonia production capacity across India by 2030.
Tuticorin Emerging as a Green Fuel Gateway
Industry experts view Tuticorin as a strategically important location for the emerging green fuel economy.
The port already possesses established ammonia-handling infrastructure and has been designated as a National Green Hydrogen Hub, making it well-positioned to support large-scale green ammonia exports and marine fuel operations.
Its proximity to major international shipping routes further enhances its attractiveness as a future green bunkering destination for global shipping companies seeking low-carbon fuel alternatives.
By leveraging the port’s existing infrastructure and growing industrial ecosystem, the partnership aims to create a globally competitive green fuels hub serving both Indian and international markets.
Leadership Highlights Strategic Importance
Commenting on the partnership, Gautam Reddy Kumbam, CEO of AM Green, said:
“Tuticorin is a natural gateway for India’s green ammonia bunkering future. VOC Port’s existing ammonia infrastructure, its Green Hydrogen Hub designation, and its connectivity to global shipping lanes make this partnership a critical building block in AM Green’s pan-India commercialisation strategy. Together, we aim to position India — and VOC Port — at the centre of the global green maritime fuel supply chain.”
Meanwhile, Susanta Kumar Nath, Chairman of V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, highlighted the port’s evolving role in India’s clean energy landscape.
“VOC Port has long been a cornerstone of India’s ammonia supply chain, and this partnership with AM Green is a natural next step in our journey towards becoming a world-class green fuels hub. We are committed to providing the infrastructure, facilitation, and institutional support needed to make Tuticorin a leading destination for green ammonia bunkering and export, and we look forward to working with AM Green to realise this shared vision.”
Supporting Decarbonisation of Global Shipping
Green ammonia is increasingly being viewed as one of the most promising alternative fuels for the shipping industry.
As international regulations tighten around greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport, shipping companies are exploring cleaner fuel alternatives that can help achieve decarbonisation targets.
Unlike conventional marine fuels, green ammonia is produced using renewable energy and emits little to no carbon dioxide during production, making it a potential long-term solution for reducing emissions from global shipping operations.
The planned bunkering hub at Tuticorin could play a crucial role in supporting the transition towards low-carbon maritime transport while creating new export opportunities for India.
AM Green Expands Green Molecules Portfolio
AM Green, promoted by the founders of Greenko Group, is building a portfolio of sustainable industrial solutions focused on decarbonisation across multiple sectors.
In addition to green ammonia, the company is developing capabilities in:
- Green hydrogen
- Green methanol
- Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
- Green caustic soda
- Olefins and low-carbon chemicals
- Biofuels
These initiatives are aimed at supporting hard-to-abate industries that require scalable low-carbon alternatives to meet net-zero targets.
Outlook
The partnership between AM Green and VOCPA marks a major milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global hub for green hydrogen and green ammonia production.
With planned investments exceeding ₹57,000 crore, the project is expected to strengthen India’s clean energy ecosystem, accelerate maritime decarbonisation, support renewable energy deployment, and create a globally competitive green fuel export platform.
As demand for sustainable fuels continues to rise worldwide, Tuticorin could emerge as one of Asia’s most important centres for green ammonia production, storage, and bunkering, further reinforcing India’s role in the global energy transition.
