Indian program to introduce harbour tugs fitted with alternative propulsion

Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, India's Union Minister of Port Shipping and Waterways, officially launched the Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) in New Delhi on Friday, August 16.

The GTTP aims to replace India's fleet of harbour tugs powered by conventional fuels with vessels operating on more sustainable alternatives. The program will focus on tugs currently in operation in the country's major ports.

Phase one of the GTTP will begin on October 1, 2024, and continue until December 31, 2027. During this phase, the major ports of Jawaharlal Nehru, Deendayal, Paradip, and V.O. Chidambaranar will procure or charter at least two green tugs each, based on standardised designs and specifications issued by the Standing Specification Committee (SSC).

Officials expect the program to involve an investment of around INR10 billion (US$120 million) for the construction of the tugs. The first batch of tugs will be battery-electric, with provisions for adopting other emerging green technologies such as hybrid, methanol, and green hydrogen as the industry evolves.

The government expects that, by the end of 2040, all tugs operating in Indian major ports will feature sustainable propulsion systems.