V.O.C. Port to acquire fully electric green tugboat as part of its ‘go green initiatives’

The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, which has already taken initiatives to minimise greenhouse gas emission from the seaport by installing solar power panels, is all set to use fully electric tugboat in near future.

The tugboats are powerful and highly manoeuvrable vessels used to pull and push larger ships as these cargo-laden vessels enter or exit the crowded seaports from or to the open outer harbour via narrow canals, and help with hassle-free berthing or unberthing of the ships. The diesel-powered tugboats are to be replaced in a phased manner by inducting the electric vessels to minimise the greenhouse gases emanating from the port during the operations.

According to the chairman of V.O.C. Port Authority Susanta Kumar Purohit, the Port has placed an order for a state-of-the-art green tugboat as part of the ‘National Green Tug Transition Programme’. The contract has been awarded to Mumbai-based Knowledge Marine and Engineering Works Limited (KMEW) for the supply of a fully electric tug with 60 tonnes bollard pull capacity. This tugboat, to be fabricated in Mumbai, 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 tugboats at major ports and replacing them with green tugboats powered by battery, green ammonia or hydrogen. V.O.C. Port, along with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority, New Mangalore Port Authority and Visakhapatnam Port Authority, is among the first five major ports to initiate procurement of green tugboats,” said Mr. Purohit.

The adoption of electric tugs is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions, with fully electric tugboats achieving up to 100% emission reduction while hybrid tugboats are estimated to achieve 25 – 35% emissions reduction.

The above initiative aligns with India’s commitment to strengthen its 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 renewable energy sources by 2030, reducing projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes and lowering the economy’s carbon intensity by 45% by 2030. India has planned 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 GTTP is a significant 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 tugboats to cleaner, green tugboats 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,” the chairman said.

V.O.C. Port presently operates three diesel operated tugboats, 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, V.O.C. Port reaffirms its commitment to environmental sustainability and green maritime development,” said Mr. Purohit.