Kerala's seafood supply chain faces a pivotal moment as state leadership pushes for a transition to sustainable refrigeration technologies, a move that could reshape cold-chain operations for exporters and processors. The strategic implication for procurement and logistics directors is clear: natural refrigerant-based systems using carbon dioxide (CO₂), ammonia (NH₃), and hydrocarbons are being positioned as the future of climate-friendly cold chains, with implications for equipment sourcing, operational costs, and regulatory compliance.
Workshop Highlights and Key Speakers
On July 3, 2026, a workshop on "Natural Refrigerant-based Systems for Seafood Industry" was organized by the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) in association with IIT Kharagpur, under the INDEE3 Project supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Kerala Fisheries Minister V. E. Abdul Gafoor delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the need to "continue to embrace innovative cold-chain technologies to enhance product quality, improve export competitiveness, reduce post-harvest losses, and support sustainable development."
Other speakers included George Ninan, Director of ICAR-CIFT, who stressed accelerating adoption of natural refrigerants for climate-friendly systems. M. Ramgopal from IIT Kharagpur highlighted the objectives and achievements of the INDEE3 Project. Alex K. Ninan, Vice President of the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), emphasized the growing importance of energy-efficient refrigeration for India's seafood export competitiveness.
Technical Program and Focus Areas
The workshop's technical programme featured invited lectures on several critical topics for cold-chain professionals:
- Energy use optimisation in seafood processing
- Cold-chain solutions
- Technology transformation in the seafood industry
- Natural refrigerant-based refrigeration systems
- Refrigeration safety
- Multi-temperature refrigeration systems
Experts from premier research institutions, academia, and the refrigeration industry shared developments in low-global-warming-potential refrigeration technologies and energy-efficient cold-chain solutions.
Implications for Supply Chain Leaders
For chief supply chain officers and procurement directors at seafood processors and exporters, this signals a need to evaluate current refrigeration assets and consider a phased transition toward natural refrigerants. While the source did not provide specific cost or lead-time data, the emphasis on energy optimisation and post-harvest loss reduction suggests potential operational benefits. Collaboration between research institutions, industry, and policymakers—as demonstrated by this workshop—can help de-risk technology adoption through knowledge sharing and pilot projects.
| Key Entity | Role / Affiliation |
|---|---|
| V. E. Abdul Gafoor | Kerala Fisheries Minister |
| George Ninan | Director, ICAR-CIFT |
| M. Ramgopal | IIT Kharagpur |
| Alex K. Ninan | Vice President, SEAI |
| Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) | Organizer |
| IIT Kharagpur | Co-organizer |
| Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Funder of INDEE3 Project |
| Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI) | Industry body |
"The workshop provides an important platform for collaboration among research institutions, industry, and policymakers to promote sustainable refrigeration technologies." — George Ninan, Director, ICAR-CIFT
What This Means for Your Procurement Team
Procurement teams should monitor the INDEE3 Project's outcomes and engage with CIFT and IIT Kharagpur to access technical guidance on natural refrigerant systems. Early adopters may gain first-mover advantages in export markets increasingly sensitive to environmental standards. The shift toward CO₂, ammonia, and hydrocarbon refrigerants requires new sourcing strategies for equipment and service providers. Given Kerala's position as a leading seafood-producing and exporting state, the state's policy direction may influence national cold-chain standards. Decision-makers should incorporate sustainability criteria into refrigeration procurement cycles and budget for potential retrofit or replacement projects over the next 2-3 planning cycles.
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