India Begins Construction Of Its First Zero-Emission Green Tug For Deendayal Port

Gujarat’s Deendayal Port is set to receive India’s first all-electric green tug. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways’ (MoPSW) Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) is developing the vessel, which had its steel cutting ceremony virtually flagged off by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

The new tug will replace conventional diesel-powered tugs. It is reported to have a 60-tonne bollard pull capacity, zero carbon emissions, and improved energy efficiency. Bollard pull measures the force a tug can exert to move ships.

According to the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), the fleet of green tugs will use non-fossil fuels such as methanol, hydrogen, or ammonia. By 2030, at least half of all tugs at India’s major ports are expected to be green, as part of the India Maritime Vision 2030.

The GTTP, announced in 2023 and launched in October 2024 under the ‘Panch Karma Sankalp’ initiative, aims to phase out conventionally fuelled tugs by December 2027. The Rs 1,000-crore project also promotes domestic innovation and manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

During the ceremony, Sonowal described the green tug as a “shining example” of India turning the Prime Minister’s vision into tangible maritime assets. He added that the project supports India’s Blue Economy goals and the clean energy transition.

The event was attended virtually by Minister of State Shantanu Thakur, Secretary Vijay Kumar, DPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh, senior DPA officials, technical experts from Kongsberg, engineers from Atreya Shipyard, and representatives from Netincon and Ripley. DPA officers also joined from Goa and Gandhidham via video conferencing.

In addition to Deendayal Port, three other major ports, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Paradip Port, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port, will procure or charter at least two green tugs each under GTTP. All tugs will meet Standing Specification Committee (SSC) standards.

References: theweek, constructionworld

Source: Maritime Shipping News