India Charts Path for Clean Marine Energy at PHDCCI’s LNG Bunkering Summit in Kochi

New Delhi, September 22, 2025:  The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) hosted the LNG Bunkering Summit in Kochi, themed “Advancing Clean Marine Energy for a Sustainable Maritime Future.” The summit convened senior policymakers, maritime regulators, industry leaders, port authorities, and global experts to discuss LNG infrastructure development, regulatory frameworks, investment opportunities, and India’s roadmap to align with International Maritime Organization (IMO) emission mandates and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Dr. Jatinder Singh, Deputy Secretary General, PHDCCI, in his opening remarks emphasized the critical role of LNG bunkering in achieving India’s decarbonization goals while enhancing maritime competitiveness. He highlighted that adopting LNG would reduce carbon intensity, strengthen India’s shipping sector, and create new investment opportunities. Dr. Singh urged industry and policymakers to collaborate on accelerating infrastructure readiness to align with India’s sustainability targets and global competitiveness.

Capt. Pawan Gupta, MD & CEO, Pace Marine, and Co-Chair, Hydrocarbon Committee, PHDCCI, underscored the strategic importance of LNG as both an environmental and economic enabler for India’s ports and shipping lines. He called for timely investments in LNG bunkering infrastructure to position India alongside global leaders like Singapore and Rotterdam, advocating for synergy among regulators, port authorities, and private stakeholders to build a resilient LNG ecosystem.

Dr. P.B. Boss, Founder & Chairman, Osaka Group, and Co-Chair, PHDCCI Kerala Chapter, highlighted Kerala’s potential to pioneer LNG-based marine ecosystems, leveraging its strategic coastal location. He emphasized the need for scalable port facilities to support efficient LNG bunkering operations and urged regional industries to foster a collaborative clean energy network.

Shri Varghese Malakaran, General Manager, Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), outlined Kerala’s proactive policies to attract investments in green maritime infrastructure. He detailed KSIDC’s efforts to integrate private investment with public infrastructure growth to support India’s green energy commitments.

John Simon, Director, Lazza Ice Creams, stressed the importance of sustainable supply chains, urging industries to adopt low-carbon models and form cross-sector partnerships to drive LNG adoption.

Capt. Raj Sinha, Co-Founder & Director, MSZ Offshore & Underwater Services LLP, highlighted the role of private-sector innovation in accelerating LNG adoption. He emphasized that operational efficiency and safety innovations are key to LNG’s success as a marine fuel and shared how MSZ Offshore is investing in technical expertise and infrastructure readiness. Capt. Sinha advocated for LNG as a transitional solution toward a broader clean fuel mix.

Rupesh K. Pandey, Senior Secretary, PHDCCI, delivered the vote of thanks, reaffirming PHDCCI’s commitment to positioning India as a clean energy leader in shipping. He recognized the collaborative efforts of industry, government, and academia in shaping future-ready ecosystems and assured stakeholders of PHDCCI’s role as a bridge between policymakers and industry leaders.