New Delhi, June 23 -- Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) has emerged as a model for sustainable maritime development in India, citing a 45 per cent reduction in net carbon emissions and significant progress in renewable energy adoption and green infrastructure development.

Speaking at an event where a series of sustainability, education and innovation initiatives were dedicated at the port, Sonowal referred to the findings of VOCPA's first Sustainability Report, which showed that renewable energy now offsets nearly 94 per cent of the port's energy-consumption equivalent.

"VOC Port is demonstrating what can be achieved when infrastructure development is guided...