India’s GAIL, the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), and classification society DNV have signed a tripartite agreement to explore the development of an LNG bunkering facility at Kandla Port, according to Ship & Bunker.
The agreement was signed on August 21 at Kandla, as confirmed in GAIL’s latest social media post cited by Ship & Bunker. Under the arrangement, the three parties will jointly examine the infrastructure, supply chains, safety frameworks, and operational requirements needed to support LNG bunkering at the port.
Roles of the Three Partners
Each organization brings a distinct area of expertise to the initiative, according to Ship & Bunker:
- GAIL will contribute its LNG sector expertise.
- Deendayal Port Authority will provide the necessary port infrastructure.
- DNV will support the project with technical and maritime safety expertise.
LNG’s Limited Footprint in India
Ship & Bunker notes that LNG has yet to establish a significant presence in India’s marine fuel market, making this exploratory agreement a notable step for the sector within the country.
Kandla Port has also been advancing efforts around alternative marine fuels more broadly. Earlier this year, the port carried out India’s first methanol bunkering demonstration, according to Ship & Bunker, signaling a broader push toward diversifying its bunker fuel offerings beyond conventional options.
Does This Matter to You?
This development may be of interest to those tracking the expansion of alternative marine fuel infrastructure in South Asia. As reported by Ship & Bunker, the agreement is currently at an exploratory stage, meaning no firm timeline, capacity figures, or commercial terms for LNG bunkering at Kandla have been established yet.
For those monitoring bunker fuel availability and infrastructure development along Indian trade routes, this signals early-stage movement toward LNG becoming a more viable option at an Indian port that has already demonstrated activity in methanol bunkering. However, the source material does not provide details on projected completion dates or investment scale, so the direct operational impact remains unclear at this stage.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
