The VOC Port Authority (VOCPA) has placed an order for a new fully electric green tug, marking a major step in India’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the maritime sector. The contract, awarded to Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Ltd. (KMEW), includes the construction, delivery and long-term maintenance of the tug.
The new vessel will feature a 60-tonne bollard pull capacity and will be delivered within two years. Valued at ₹385.76 crore, the contract includes 15 years of operation and maintenance, ensuring long-term reliability and performance.
The order forms part of India’s Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP), a national initiative aimed at phasing out diesel-powered tugs and replacing them with vessels powered by battery, green ammonia or hydrogen.
VOC Port joins four other major Indian ports—Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority, New Mangalore Port Authority and Visakhapatnam Port Authority—in moving ahead with green tug procurement.
Fully electric tugs can reduce emissions by up to 100%, while hybrid models are expected to cut emissions by 25–35%, offering significant environmental benefits for India’s ports.
The initiative aligns with India’s climate commitments set out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the COP26 Panchamrit declaration, including the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, increasing non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW and reducing carbon intensity by 45% by 2030. It also supports the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which mandates green tug adoption across major ports.
VOCPA Chairperson Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit noted that the port currently operates three diesel tugs with bollard pull capacities ranging from 45 to 50 tonnes. He said the shift to electric propulsion underscores the port’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable maritime development.
The new green tug is expected to play a pivotal role in reducing emissions, modernising port operations and advancing India’s broader transition to cleaner maritime technologies.
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