India To Invest $120 Million In Green Tug Transition Program To Advance Maritime Sustainability

Tugboat — Image for representation purposes only

Indian Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, has formally inaugurated the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Green Tug Transition Program. The program aims to improve India’s maritime sector by replacing diesel-powered tugs with zero-emission alternatives.

The Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP), initially unveiled by Shri Sonowal at the ‘Chintan Shivir’ ceremony on May 22, 2023, is an essential part of the government’s ‘Panch Karma Sankalp’ program.

The program intends to replace traditional fuel-powered harbour tugs with greener, more sustainable alternatives, playing an important part in decarbonizing India’s maritime activities.

Phase 1 of the GTTP is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2024, and last until December 31, 2027. During this phase, four Major Ports—Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority, Paradip Port Authority, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority—will purchase or charter at least two green tugs each.

These tugs will be built using standardized designs and specifications developed by the Standing Specification Committee (SSC). The program is estimated to generate an investment of around INR 1,000 crores in developing these environmentally friendly tugboats.

The GTTP’s initial set of tugs will be battery-electric, and as the industry evolves, it plans to add other developing green technologies such as hybrid systems, methanol, and green hydrogen.

The program intends to completely convert all tugs operating in major Indian ports to green tugs by the end of 2040. Starting in 2033, every new tug built in India for use in these ports must meet the ASTDS-GTTP criteria.

During the launch ceremony, Shri Sonowal stated that the Green Tug Transition Program is a key initiative toward realizing India’s vision of a sustainable and green maritime sector.

Shri TK Ramachandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), highlighted the program’s potential to boost the domestic tug industry, mentioning that all GTTP tugs will be built in Indian shipyards, generating job opportunities in shipbuilding and design.

The GTTP aligns with national strategies, such as the Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030) and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. These visions set ambitious targets, such as generating 60% of major ports’ power from renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions per ton of cargo by 30% by 2030. The use of green technologies in harbour tugs is expected to play an important role in reaching these targets.

Reference: PIB

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