MUMBAI : The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port) participated in the Hydrogen Council Business Forum 2026, being held from 6–8 October 2026 at JW Marriott Sahar, Mumbai, bringing together leading stakeholders from the global and Indian hydrogen, energy and maritime sectors. As part of the forum, Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority and Paradip Port Authority, participated as a panelist in the session titled “Hydrogen Hubs & Ports” held on 6 October.
The session was moderated by Nishaanth Balashanmugam, CEO and Director, GH2 India, and featured Captain Prashant S. Widge, Executive Director – Maritime, India & Indonesia, Smart Freight Centre, and Shri J. Senthil Kumar, Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, Kochi, among other industry stakeholders.
The discussion focused on the evolving role of ports as hydrogen hubs, covering critical aspects such as infrastructure development, logistics, energy transition and the integration of hydrogen into the maritime ecosystem.
With their strategic infrastructure, connectivity and proximity to energy-intensive industries, ports are well positioned to support the emerging hydrogen value chain. They can play a key role in facilitating the production, storage, handling, transportation and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
The participation of VOC Port at the forum underlines the growing importance of Indian ports in the country’s clean-energy transition and highlights the sector’s potential to contribute to the development of a robust hydrogen ecosystem and sustainable maritime economy.
Key Takeaways
- VOC Port participated in the Hydrogen Council Business Forum 2026 in Mumbai.
- Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson of VOC Port and Paradip Port Authority, joined the “Hydrogen Hubs & Ports” panel.
- The session examined the transformation of ports into strategic hydrogen hubs.
- Discussions covered infrastructure, logistics, clean energy and maritime applications.
- Ports can support the hydrogen value chain from production and storage to movement and export.
- The forum highlighted the strategic role of ports in India’s energy transition and green maritime future.
