India flags off Construction of Nation’s First All-Electric Green Tug for DPA, Kandla — A Milestone in Green Maritime Transition
NEW DELHI/GANDHIDHAM: In a landmark stride towards sustainable maritime development, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), virtually flagged off the steel cutting for India’s first all-electric green tug designed for the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla. The ceremony, held under the prestigious Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP), marks a transformational leap in the nation’s pursuit of greener ports and environmentally responsible shipping.
Shri Sonowal was joined by Shri Shantanu Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State for PS&W; Shri Vijay Kumar (IAS), Secretary, MoPSW; Shri Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME, Chairman of DPA Kandla; along with distinguished representatives from Netincon/Ripley, Kongsberg, Atreya Shipyard and officers of DPA Kandla.
The cutting-edge tug—engineered with a powerful 60-ton bollard pull capacity—will operate with absolute zero carbon emissions and silent propulsion technology, ensuring superior efficiency and a minimal ecological footprint. Once deployed, it is expected to set a new benchmark for green maritime capabilities in India and the wider region.
This initiative is a key element of the government’s broader objective to create Net-Zero Ports in alignment with global sustainability standards. Embodying the spirit of “Make in India, Make for the World,” the project showcases India’s growing expertise in green maritime engineering at par with world-class innovation.
Speaking on this important milestone, Shri Sonowal emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to accelerating India’s shift to clean maritime logistics:“The Green Tug Transition Programme is driving a silent revolution in the maritime sector. This first all-electric tug for DPA Kandla will lead the way for future sustainable port operations across the country.”
The development reinforces India’s position as a future-ready maritime nation committed to green growth and technological excellence. As the nation pushes forward with the GTTP, more green tugs are set to follow, significantly reducing emissions across major ports and contributing to India’s maritime decarbonization roadmap.