The global maritime industry is charting a course towards a greener future, and India is rapidly emerging as a pivotal player in this decarbonization journey. A landmark agreement signed recently between Svitzer, a prominent Denmark-based company and a subsidiary of A.P. Moller-Maersk, and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), India’s leading shipbuilder, marks a significant stride in this direction. This Letter of Intent (LoI) sets the stage for the manufacturing of next-generation electric tugs in India, promising to redefine sustainable towage and reinforce India’s position as a global maritime manufacturing hub.
This collaboration, formalized during the prestigious India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, isn’t just about building ships; it’s about harnessing innovation for green maritime solutions and propelling India’s ambitious “Make in India” initiative. Let’s dive into how this partnership will power cleaner, more efficient harbor operations and contribute to India’s grand Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
A Landmark Partnership for Green Towage
The agreement, inked on October 30, 2025, during an event organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, solidifies a commitment to jointly develop and construct advanced electric TRAnsverse tugboats at CSL’s state-of-the-art facilities. Svitzer, with its nearly 200 years of towage experience, is recognized for its commitment to fleet electrification. This strategic move to manufacture electric tugs in India aligns perfectly with Svitzer’s global fleet renewal plans, leveraging CSL’s proven track record and India’s burgeoning shipbuilding ecosystem.
Kasper Nilaus, CEO of Svitzer, highlighted the strategic importance of India, stating that CSL’s capabilities make it an ideal location to further develop and build the innovative TRAnsverse tugs. Similarly, Madhu S. Nair, Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard, emphasized that this partnership will showcase CSL’s world-class capabilities, deepen local supply chains, and accelerate the availability of green, high-performance tugboats for both domestic and international ports. This collaboration is a testament to the growing global confidence in India’s manufacturing prowess and its dedication to sustainable shipping.
Powering India’s Green Port Ambitions
This initiative is a critical component of India’s ambitious Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP). Launched on May 22, 2023, the GTTP aims to phase out conventional fuel-based harbor tugs and replace them with “green tugs” powered by cleaner, more sustainable alternative fuels like electricity, hybrid, methanol, or green hydrogen. The program’s first phase, beginning October 1, 2024, targets four major ports—Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority, Paradip Port Authority, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority—to procure at least two green tugs each. The overarching goal is a complete transition of all major-port tugs to green propulsion by 2033, with new tugs built in India beyond 2033 complying with stringent green norms.
The Svitzer-CSL partnership directly supports the Indian government’s broader Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. These visions prioritize sustainable growth, energy transition within the maritime sector, and positioning India among the world’s leading maritime nations. With targets like sourcing 60% of major port power from renewable energy by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions in the maritime sector by 2070, the shift to electric tugs is not just beneficial but imperative for India’s economic growth and environmental stewardship. The GTTP alone projects an initial investment of approximately ₹1,000 crore, signifying the scale of commitment.
The TRAnsverse Tug Advantage: Engineered for Efficiency
At the heart of this groundbreaking collaboration are the electric TRAnsverse tugs, known for their revolutionary design and operational superiority. Developed by Svitzer in collaboration with Robert Allan Ltd., this design represents a significant leap forward in harbor and terminal towage.
Key features and benefits of the TRAnsverse tug design include:
- Enhanced Maneuverability: The omnidirectional hull form and unique towing staple allow for unmatched towage capabilities, precise control in confined port waters, and instant responses to pilot commands. This is crucial for handling increasingly larger vessels in busy ports.
- Superior Force Generation: These tugs can generate approximately 50% higher direct and indirect forces than conventional Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugs of comparable size, making them highly effective across various speeds.
- Exceptional Fuel Efficiency: The design has demonstrated an average fuel efficiency gain of 15% compared to other tugs, directly contributing to reduced emissions and operational costs.
- Optimized Hydrodynamics: It intelligently utilizes hydrodynamic force, leading to “free force” during braking and generating usable force even at lower speeds.
- Increased Stability and Safety: The design ensures steady maneuvering at full speed without compromising safety, offering greater stability and freedom of movement with lower propeller input power.
These features make the electric TRAnsverse tugs a “game changer,” capable of addressing common port challenges like congestion and operating effectively in extreme weather, ultimately reducing operational time and minimizing delays in global supply chains.
Cochin Shipyard: A Pioneer in India’s Green Shipbuilding Revolution
CSL’s partnership with Svitzer is not an isolated incident but a reflection of its deep commitment to green shipbuilding and the “Make in India” ethos. Over 50% of CSL’s current order book comprises green vessels, showcasing its proactive role in India’s green maritime revolution.
Beyond the electric tugboats, CSL is engaged in several other pioneering projects:
- Zero-Emission Feeder Container Vessels: CSL is building the world’s first zero-emission feeder container vessels for a Dutch logistics company, powered by green hydrogen.
- India’s First Indigenous Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vessels: The shipyard is spearheading the development of India’s first 100-passenger hydrogen fuel cell catamaran vessel for inland waterways, a fully indigenized project.
- Hybrid Service Operation Vessels (SOVs): CSL has secured international orders for hybrid SOVs featuring advanced emission reduction technologies, including lithium-ion batteries and methanol-fueled generators for offshore wind farms.
- Autonomous Barges and Electric Ferries: CSL has already delivered autonomous electric barges for Norway and a series of electric hybrid water metro ferries for Kochi.
These diverse projects solidify CSL’s reputation as a leader in constructing zero-emission vessels and a key enabler of India’s aspiration to become a global hub for green shipbuilding by 2030. The shipyard’s significant investment in infrastructure, including a new 310-meter dry dock and an international ship repair facility, further boosts its capacity to cater to both domestic and international markets, driving both economic growth and technological advancement.
Paving the Way for a Sustainable Maritime Future
The collaboration between Svitzer and Cochin Shipyard Limited to manufacture electric tugs in India represents a powerful synergy of international expertise and indigenous capability. This partnership is not merely a commercial agreement; it is a vital step towards achieving India’s green port and sustainable towage ambitions, as outlined in the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
By leveraging the innovative TRAnsverse tug design and CSL’s robust manufacturing prowess, India is poised to enhance its maritime infrastructure, contribute significantly to global decarbonization efforts, and cement its status as a leader in green shipbuilding. This initiative exemplifies how strategic international alliances under the “Make in India” framework can drive both environmental sustainability and substantial economic growth, charting a cleaner, more efficient future of maritime for generations to come.
About the Author
