V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, has announced plans to establish a Green Hydrogen Hub at its port premises in Tuticorin. The initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to promote green shipping and accelerate the adoption of sustainable energy solutions across India’s maritime infrastructure.
According to the tender announcement, the project will focus on the development of a 2 MW green hydrogen electrolyzer facility along with a dedicated hydrogen refueling station. The project is designed to support emerging clean fuel applications in the maritime and transport sectors and contribute to India’s long-term decarbonization goals.
The selected bidder will be responsible for executing the project on a turnkey basis. This includes the design, engineering, procurement, fabrication, installation, and commissioning of the hydrogen production and refueling infrastructure. The facility will include electrolyzers with a total capacity of 2 MW and a minimum hydrogen production output of about 600 kilograms per day.
As part of the project scope, a hydrogen refueling station will also be established. The station will include a dispenser capable of delivering hydrogen at a rate of 3.6 kilograms per minute, enabling efficient refueling operations for hydrogen-powered vehicles or port equipment in the future.
In addition to the core hydrogen production infrastructure, the project will involve several civil and supporting works. These include the construction of approach roads, installation of fencing around the facility, development of a control room and office space, and the arrangement of required utilities and supporting infrastructure.
The contract structure includes a development period of seven months, during which the facility must be designed, built, and commissioned. Following this phase, the successful bidder will also be responsible for the comprehensive operation and maintenance of the facility for a period of seven years. This O&M period will include a two-year guarantee period as part of the contractual obligations.
To support the project’s operations, the port authority will provide certain utilities. The facility will receive a 22 kV power supply and potable water from the port authority at no cost, which will help reduce operational expenses and facilitate project implementation.
The estimated cost of the project has been set at Rs. 67.85 crore, excluding GST. Interested bidders must meet specific financial and technical eligibility requirements. Companies participating in the tender must have an average annual turnover equal to at least 30 percent of the estimated project cost during the last three financial years.
In terms of technical capability, applicants must demonstrate prior experience in executing similar projects. This includes the design and commissioning of green hydrogen plants with a capacity of at least 1 MW or hydrogen refueling stations completed within the past seven years.
Joint ventures or consortium bids are also permitted for this tender, with a maximum of two partners allowed to participate together.
The tender requires an Earnest Money Deposit of Rs. 1.36 crore, and the EMD must remain valid for 45 days beyond the bid validity period. The tender documents became available for download on March 13, 2026, while a pre-bid meeting is scheduled for March 20, 2026. The deadline for downloading the tender and submitting bids is April 9, 2026, at 3:00 PM, and the bids will be opened on April 10, 2026, at 3:30 PM.
Interested bidders must submit their proposals online through the government’s Central Public Procurement Portal. The tender process also requires bidders to conduct a mandatory site visit to the project location, and proof of this visit must be submitted along with the bid documents to avoid disqualification.
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