India Orders Two Battery-Powered Tugs Under Green Maritime Push

Polestar Maritime Limited has placed an order for two battery-electric tugs with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). These 60-ton bollard pull vessels will operate under India's Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP). The move marks a significant step in the country's push for greener maritime operations.

The two tugs will be built at CSL's Kochi yard, with Udupi-CSL assisting in construction. Their design comes from Robert Allan Limited, a leading name in harbour tug engineering. Batteries for the vessels will be sourced domestically, aligning with India's Aatma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) initiative.

Polestar Maritime secured the charter rights for these tugs after winning a competitive bid. Once completed, they will serve at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority. Their battery-electric propulsion systems ensure zero direct emissions during harbour work.

This order expands CSL Group's current portfolio to 17 tugs, six of which are green tugs at different construction stages. India's broader plan includes around 150 new electric tugs by 2027, with all state-owned major ports transitioning to green vessels by 2040.

The new tugs will support India's shift toward sustainable shipping under the GTTP. Their deployment at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority reinforces the country's commitment to reducing maritime emissions. CSL's ongoing projects further highlight the growing adoption of green technology in Indian ports.