VOC Port Authority places order for fully electric Green Tugboat as part of its ‘go green initiatives’

TUTICORIN: V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA),  has taken a major step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions by placing an order for a state-of-the-art green tug as part of the national Green Tug Transition Programme.

VOCPA has awarded the contract to Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Ltd. (KMEW), Mumbai for the supply of a fully electric tug with 60 tonnes Bollard Pull capacity. The tug will be delivered within two years. The contract is valued at ₹385.76 crore and includes operation and maintenance of the tug for a period of 15 years.

This initiative is part of the Green Tug Transition Programme, aimed to replace diesel power tugs with green tugs powered by battery, Green Ammonia / Hydrogen. VOC Port is among the first five major ports to initiate procurement of green tugs, along with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority, New Mangalore Port Authority and Visakhapatnam Port Authority. 

Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, VOC Port Authority, in his message conveyed that, VOC Port presently operates three diesel operated tugs, one with a 45 tonne Bollard Pull capacity and two with 50 tonne Bollard Pull capacity each. By advancing the transition to clean energy in port operations, VOC Port reaffirms its commitment to environmental sustainability and green maritime development.