New Delhi: India has imported 37.4 tonnes of Green Ammonia from Damietta Port in Egypt for the first time, said a statement released by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on Wednesday. “On September 23, 2023, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority , Tamil Nadu successfully handled 3x20 ISO Green Ammonia Containers, weighing 37.4 tons of Green Ammonia, from Damietta Port, Egypt, for M/s. Tuticorin Alkali Chemical and Fertilizers Ltd (TFL),” said the statement.
Conventionally, Grey Ammonia is utilised for soda ash production. As part of green initiative, TFL has imported Green Ammonia to produce Green soda Ash, on a trial basis. TFL has plans to import 2,000 MT of Green Ammonia this year subject to its availability.
Ammonia is a pungent gas that is a derivative of Green Hydrogen and is used for making fertilisers. Just like Green Hydrogen, Green Ammonia is the byproduct of a process which is 100 percent renewable and carbon-free. One way of making green ammonia is by using hydrogen from water electrolysis and nitrogen separated from the air. These are then fed into the Haber process (also known as Haber-Bosch), all powered by renewable electricity. In the Haber process, hydrogen and nitrogen are reacted together at high temperatures and pressures to produce ammonia, NH3.
“On 24.09.2023, VO Chidambaranar Port created a new record by handling 2,01,204 MT in a single day surpassing the earlier single day record of 2,00,642 MT on 26.08.2023. The major cargos that contributed to the achievement are Container (1,03,528), Thermal coal (35,018), industrial coal (27,233), Limestone (12,868), Sulphuric acid (10,930) and Others (11,627).”
Bimal Kumar Jha, Chairman(i/c), VO Chidambaranar Port Authority, remarked “V.O. Chidambaranar Port has been a trendsetter amongst Major Ports of India in undertaking Green Port initiatives. Our Port Business Partners & Stakeholders have also undertaken various initiatives to use green products to reduce carbon footprint. On this special occasion, I take this opportunity to congratulate TFL for their green initiative and wish them all success in their future endeavors.”