VOC Port Authority places order for green tug to advance sustainable port operations

V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has taken a major step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions by placing an order for a state-of-the-art green tug as part of the national Green Tug Transition Programme.

VOCPA has awarded the contract to Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Ltd. (KMEW) for the supply of a fully electric tug with 60 tonnes Bollard Pull capacity. The tug will be delivered within two years. The contract is valued at ₹385.76 crore and includes operation and maintenance of the tug for a period of 15 years.

This initiative is part of the Green Tug Transition Programme, aimed at phasing out diesel-powered tugs at major ports and replacing them with green tugs powered by battery, Green Ammonia / Hydrogen. VOC Port is among the first five major ports to initiate procurement of green tugs, along with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority, New Mangalore Port Authority and Visakhapatnam Port Authority. The adoption of electric tugs is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions, with fully electric tugs achieving up to 100% emission reduction, while hybrid tugs are estimated to achieve 25–35% emissions reduction.

The above initiative aligns with the commitment of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in India’s Panchamrit (nectar) declaration at COP26, announcing five major climate commitments to strengthen India’s contribution to global climate action. These include increasing India’s non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW, meeting 50% of the country’s energy needs through renewables by 2030, reducing projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes, and lowering the economy’s carbon intensity by 45% by 2030. He also committed India to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

As per the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision-2047, and directions of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), major ports have been mandated to implement the Green Tug Transition Programme. The Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) is an important step in supporting India’s sustainability goals and its commitment to the Paris Agreement. The program will be implemented in phases to ensure a smooth and steady shift from the current diesel-powered tugs to cleaner, green tugs across Indian ports. This initiative aims to introduce cleaner and more efficient propulsion systems, helping the maritime sector reduce emissions and move towards environmentally friendly operations.

Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, VOC Port Authority, in his message conveyed that, VOC Port presently operates three diesel operated tugs, one with a 45 tonne Bollard Pull capacity and two with 50 tonne Bollard Pull capacity each. By advancing the transition to clean energy in port operations, VOC Port reaffirms its commitment to environmental sustainability and green maritime development.