A tender issued by the Deendayal Port Authority in Mumbai has attracted offers from six groups, including the state-run Shipping Corporation of India Ltd, Polestar Maritime Ltd, and Netincon Marketing Pvt Ltd. The tender is for the hire of an electric tug, marking the first such initiative in India in 15 years. The tug owner quoting the lowest daily charter hire rate will secure the deal, with companies like Shipping Corporation of India and Polestar Maritime expected to build the electric tug at state-run shipyards.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways launched the Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) in August 2024 to promote the adoption of green technologies in harbor tugs. Under this program, major ports in India will transition to green tugs powered by cleaner and more sustainable fuels by 2040. The GTTP aims to phase out conventional fuel-based harbor tugs and replace them with environmentally friendly alternatives.
However, industry experts point out challenges in the transition to green tugs, such as the need for a change in the business model of port authorities. They emphasize the importance of evaluating emission reduction and performance criteria in tender evaluations to ensure the success of the GTTP. Companies like Wartsila Singapore Pte Ltd advocate for incorporating emission reduction as a key evaluation factor and providing incentives for adopting green technologies in tug operations.
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