Copenhagen-based Svitzer Group A/S is one of four companies that have submitted initial bids to the Paradip Port Authority for a 15-year charter of an electric tug under the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP). Other bidders include the state-owned Shipping Corporation of India Ltd, Kolkata’s Ripley Group, and Industrial Handling Pvt Ltd.
Harbour tugs are crucial for port functions such as assisting ships with berthing and unberthing. With the push for greener technologies like electric propulsion, these tugs present an ideal opportunity to reduce emissions while maintaining performance. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways announced the GTTP in August 2024 to facilitate the shift from conventional fuel tugs to sustainable options.
The programme aims to replace traditional fuel tugs across six major ports by December 2027, with the initial phase involving the procurement or chartering of seven green tugs. These will feature standardized designs and specifications from the Standing Specification Committee. The first tugs are expected to be battery-electric, with potential upgrades to hybrid and green hydrogen technologies as they become available.
By 2040, all tugs in major ports are set to transition to eco-friendly alternatives, contributing to a sustainable maritime fleet in India.
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