In a significant move towards green technology, Maharashtra’s Fisheries Department plans to invest ₹1,800 crore in acquiring 15 electric tugboats, known as E-tugs, to replace its aging diesel fleet. Each E-tug will cost between ₹120 and ₹130 crore, with an overarching goal to introduce a total of 30 E-tugs by 2035. Currently, the state operates 12 diesel tugs.
Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane emphasized that this initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to position India as a leader in sustainable port technology. Highlighting the advantages of the “Aqua Stentor E-Tug,” developed with Dutch technology, Rane described it as faster, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly compared to traditional diesel tugboats.
On a recent trip to the Netherlands, Rane inspected an E-tug prototype, which is now in Maharashtra for trial runs. The Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), with reserves of around ₹1,200 crore, will finance the procurement in phases. The new E-tugs will be leased to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), indicating substantial demand across 12 other ports in India.
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