Dibrugarh: Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited (APL), a Government of Assam undertaking, on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Deendayal Port Authority, Kandla, Gujarat, to set up an E-Methanol Plant. The move marks a significant step toward green energy transition and port-linked industrial development.
The project will see an investment of over Rs 1,200 crore and is expected to generate around 3,500 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal at a formal ceremony at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Dibrugarh. The proposed E-Methanol plant will focus on producing green methanol, a low-carbon fuel increasingly viewed as a viable alternative for maritime shipping and industrial applications.
Officials said the project aligns with India’s national commitment to decarbonisation, clean fuels, and sustainable port-led development, while opening new avenues for industrial growth in Assam.
The ceremony was also attended by Bimal Borah, Minister of Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprises and Cultural Affairs; Prasanta Phukan, Minister of Power, Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship and Medical Education & Research; Rameswar Teli, Member of Parliament; Taranga Gogoi, MLA of Naharkatia, and other senior officials.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal congratulated APL and the Deendayal Port Authority for the forward-looking initiative. “This MoU is a clear statement of intent that India will pursue economic growth without compromising environmental responsibility,” he said. He highlighted green methanol’s importance for the shipping sector, noting that such initiatives would help Indian ports transition toward cleaner operations.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the MoU as a “strategic milestone” that will strengthen Assam’s petrochemical ecosystem and position the state as an emerging player in India’s green fuel economy. “APL has traditionally produced fossil fuels for ships. With this project, it will produce green methanol, helping decarbonise shipping transport. The MoU will bring a transformative change in green energy production,” he added.
The partnership between Assam Petro-Chemicals and the Deendayal Port Authority is expected to facilitate technology exchange, port-based logistics support, and long-term industrial collaboration. Officials noted the project would also create employment and boost ancillary industries in the region.
Bikul Chandra Deka, Chairman of APL, said the MoU reflects the company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and value addition while contributing to Assam’s industrial and economic growth.