New Delhi: India has taken a major step toward sustainable maritime operations as Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, virtually initiated the steel-cutting ceremony for the nation’s first all-electric green tug. The tug will be deployed at Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla and is being developed under the Ministry’s flagship Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP), aimed at accelerating maritime decarbonisation.
The ceremony saw virtual participation from Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur; MoPSW Secretary Vijay Kumar, IAS; DPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME; senior DPA officials; representatives from Netincon and Ripley; experts from Kongsberg; and engineers from Atreya Shipyard, which is executing the tug’s construction.
Addressing the event, Sonowal said the launch of India’s first electric tug demonstrates the country’s strong commitment to clean energy solutions in the maritime ecosystem. He noted that the initiative is closely aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on sustainability, advanced technology adoption, and global leadership in green maritime capabilities, according to an official statement.
“This milestone reinforces India’s determination to move toward a cleaner and more sustainable maritime future,” Sarbananda Sonowal said. “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, India has embraced an ambitious roadmap for green growth. The PM has consistently championed environmental stewardship, energy transition, and future-ready infrastructure. Today’s steel-cutting ceremony is a direct reflection of his commitment to building a greener, stronger, and self-reliant maritime ecosystem.”
Sonowal added that the PM’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat” places maritime growth at the core of national development. “Prime Minister Modi has shown how innovation can drive national progress. The all-electric green tug is a shining example of how India is translating its vision into tangible, world-class assets that will serve our ports, protect our environment, and elevate our global standing,” he said.
Designed with a 60-ton bollard pull capacity, the new tug is expected to operate silently with zero emissions and high energy efficiency. Officials said the vessel will become a benchmark for next-generation tug design at major Indian ports. Its advanced electric propulsion, navigation systems, and low-maintenance structure are also projected to reduce long-term operational costs and carbon intensity.
Under the GTTP, India plans to induct 50 green tugs by 2030, with 16 scheduled for deployment in the first phase between 2024 and 2027. In the initial rollout, two electric tugs each will be positioned at DPA, Paradip Port Authority, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, while one tug each will be deployed across the remaining eight major ports. Officials confirmed that four major ports – DPA, VPA, JNPA and VoCPA – have already issued work orders, with DPA becoming the first to initiate vessel construction.
Highlighting the significance of the development, Sonowal said DPA’s early implementation of GTTP showcases India’s decisive shift toward clean maritime logistics. “DPA’s initiative shows the world that India is serious about green ports and sustainable maritime logistics. This is not just a technological upgrade but a transformational step forward,” he said.
He further stated that the project supports the Make in India and Make for the World vision by strengthening domestic shipbuilding capacity at Atreya Shipyard. “This tug is not only for India’s ports but for the world to see what India can build. It embodies our ambition to become a global hub for maritime innovation,” Sonowal said.
According to officials, the tug will support harbour manoeuvring, escort operations, and emergency response tasks – all with zero emissions – once deployed. Operational data generated from the vessel is also expected to support future phases of the national green tug programme.
The GTTP forms a key component of India’s maritime sustainability roadmap, aligning with the Maritime India Vision 2030 and the country’s global decarbonisation commitments.
