Svitzer, Shipping Corp among 4 firms submit initial bids for green tug tender

Copenhagen‑based towage and marine services provider Svitzer Group A/S is among four entities that have submitted initial bids for a tender issued by the state‑run Paradip Port Authority to charter an electric green tug for 15 years under the government’s Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP).

The other bidders include state‑owned Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI), Kolkata‑based Ripley Group, and Industrial Handling Pvt Ltd, also headquartered in Kolkata.

Harbour tugs, vital for port operations like berthing, unberthing, and ship assist functions, are considered ideal candidates for adopting green technologies, such as electric propulsion and alternative fuels, which can significantly cut emissions while maintaining operational efficiency.

In August 2024, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways launched the standard operating procedures (SOP) for the green tug transition programme to drive the transition from conventional fuel-based harbour tugs to greener, more sustainable alternatives, marking a major step in India’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the advancement of its maritime sector.

The GTTP is designed to phase out conventional fuel-based harbour tugs operating in state-owned major ports and replace them with green tugs powered by cleaner and more sustainable alternate fuels.

The first phase of GTTP will run through December 2027 during which six major ports – Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority, Paradip Port Authority, V O Chidambaranar Port Authority, Visakhapatnam Port Authority and New Mangalore Port Authority – will procure or charter seven green tugs based on standardized designs and specifications issued by the Standing Specification Committee (SSC).

The first set of green tugs will be battery-electric, with provisions for adopting other emerging green technologies such as hybrid, methanol, and green hydrogen as the industry evolves.

By the end of 2040, all tugs operating in major ports are envisioned to transition to green tugs, ensuring a standardized, eco-friendly fleet across the country.