Collaboration to Advance Green Tugboat Design and Construction in India

The Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SeaTech Solutions International to approve designs for green tugs and harbour craft. This agreement enables Indian shipyards to potentially construct electric-powered tugboats designed by SeaTech. The designs of these sustainable vessels will be reviewed and approved by IRS to ensure compliance with regulatory standards for both local and international shipping.

Part of the MoU will focus on India’s green-tug transition programme (GTTP) and the Harit Nauka guidelines for inland vessels set by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. SeaTech will develop designs aligned with these guidelines, which IRS will classify to meet stringent regulatory and environmental standards. The collaboration will also include retrofitting inland vessels to support India’s green transition goals.

SeaTech has expertise in naval architecture for electric tugs and harbour craft, working with shipyards in Singapore, Indonesia, and India to bring these projects to life. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in India plans to construct the first battery-powered tugboat, aiming to become a hub for green shipbuilding by 2030. This collaboration, supported by MoUs with ABS and Shift Clean Energy, aims to produce an electric-powered tugboat to facilitate low-emission harbour operations in India.

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