<h4>Introduction to Mormugao Port's Milestone</h4><p>The <strong>Mormugao Port Authority (MPA)</strong>, located in <strong>Goa</strong>, has achieved a significant distinction in environmental stewardship within India's maritime sector.</p><p>It became the <strong>first Indian port</strong> to be officially listed on the prestigious <strong>Environmental Ship Index (ESI) portal</strong>.</p><div class='key-point-box'><p>This recognition highlights <strong>MPA's commitment</strong> to adopting and promoting sustainable maritime practices and cleaner port operations.</p></div><h4>The Harit Srey Programme: A Catalyst for Green Shipping</h4><p>The inclusion of <strong>Mormugao Port</strong> on the <strong>ESI portal</strong> is directly attributed to its dedicated environmental initiative, the <strong>Harit Srey Programme</strong>.</p><div class='info-box'><p>The <strong>Harit Srey Programme</strong> is an internal initiative by <strong>MPA</strong>, likely encompassing various measures aimed at reducing environmental impact, such as promoting cleaner fuel, efficient waste management, and energy conservation within its operational sphere.</p></div><h4>Understanding the Environmental Ship Index (ESI)</h4><p>The <strong>Environmental Ship Index (ESI)</strong> is a globally recognized tool designed to identify and reward ships that perform better than current environmental regulatory standards.</p><div class='info-box'><p>Ports globally utilize the <strong>ESI</strong> to offer incentives, such as reduced port fees, to vessels demonstrating superior environmental performance, thereby encouraging a shift towards cleaner shipping.</p></div><p>A port's listing on the <strong>ESI portal</strong> signifies its readiness and commitment to facilitating and actively promoting such environmentally friendly shipping practices.</p><h4>Acknowledgement by the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH)</h4><p>The pioneering achievement of <strong>Mormugao Port</strong> was formally acknowledged by the <strong>International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH)</strong>.</p><div class='info-box'><p>The <strong>IAPH</strong> is a non-profit organization representing ports worldwide, dedicated to enhancing the prosperity of the global port community through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the promotion of best practices in port management and sustainability.</p></div><p>This international acknowledgement adds significant global recognition to <strong>MPA's environmental efforts</strong> and India's commitment to green maritime initiatives.</p><h4>Government Policy on Inland Waterway Terminals (IWTs)</h4><p>In a related but distinct policy development, the <strong>Indian government</strong> is formulating strategic plans regarding the development of <strong>inland waterway terminals (IWTs)</strong>.</p><p>The current plan involves a conscious decision to <strong>limit the development of new IWTs</strong> in close proximity to existing <strong>major ports</strong> across the country.</p><div class='exam-tip-box'><p>This policy aims to <strong>safeguard the economic interests</strong> and operational efficiency of established <strong>major ports</strong>, preventing potential competition or logistical inefficiencies that might arise from unregulated or redundant <strong>IWT development</strong> nearby.</p></div><p>It reflects a strategic and integrated approach to optimizing India's port infrastructure and multimodal logistics network.</p>