India has taken a major step toward sustainable maritime operations as the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, virtually flagged off the steel-cutting ceremony for the country’s first all-electric green tug. Designed for the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla, the vessel is being developed under the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP), the Ministry’s flagship initiative to accelerate maritime decarbonisation.

The virtual ceremony was attended by Minister of State Shantanu Thakur; Secretary Vijay Kumar, IAS; DPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME; senior DPA officials; representatives from Netincon and Ripley; technical experts from Kongsberg; and engineers from Atreya Shipyard, which is constructing the tug.

Sonowal said the project represents India’s growing commitment to clean energy integration across the maritime sector, aligning closely with the Prime Minister’s vision of sustainable development and technological progress. He added that the milestone reflects India’s ambition to build a greener, more energy-efficient and globally competitive maritime ecosystem.

He noted that the Prime Minister’s “Viksit Bharat” vision places maritime advancement at the centre of India’s economic transformation. The all-electric green tug, he said, demonstrates how innovation is being translated into advanced, world-class assets that strengthen ports, reduce environmental impact and enhance India’s global standing.

The tug will feature a 60-ton bollard pull capacity with silent operations, zero carbon emissions and high energy efficiency. Its electric propulsion system, advanced navigation features and low-maintenance design are expected to reduce both operational costs and carbon intensity. Officials said the tug will set new standards for fleet modernisation across India’s major ports.

Under the GTTP, the Ministry aims to induct 50 green tugs by 2030, with 16 scheduled for deployment between 2024 and 2027. In Phase 1, two tugs each will be stationed at DPA, Paradip Port Authority, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, while one tug each will be deployed at the remaining eight major ports. Four major ports — DPA, VPA, JNPA and VoCPA — have already awarded work orders, with DPA becoming the first to initiate construction.

Sonowal said DPA’s leadership reflects India’s strong commitment to clean-energy port operations. He added that the tug’s construction at Atreya Shipyard supports the Make in India and Make for the World pillars by strengthening domestic shipbuilding capacity and showcasing India’s maritime innovation.

Officials stated that the tug will support harbour manoeuvring, escorting and emergency response activities, all with zero emissions. Its deployment is expected to generate operational insights that will guide future phases of the green tug programme.

The GTTP forms a core part of the Ministry’s sustainability portfolio and aligns with the Maritime India Vision 2030 and India’s broader international decarbonisation commitments.

Concluding the ceremony, Sonowal said India’s progress in green maritime technology reflects a collective national effort. He added that the new tug marks the beginning of a transformative shift toward cleaner, future-ready port operations.