India's Ports to Transition to Zero-Emission Tugs

23 Nov 2023 CW Team

In the first phase, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority, Pradip Port Authority, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority will each acquire two new battery-electric tugs by 2027. Between 2027 and 2030, at least 50% of the tugs operating at these four state-run major ports should be green tugs. Additionally, at least 25% of tug fleets at all other major ports under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) should be GTTP-compliant. This phase may also involve the adoption of alternative/green fuels such as methanol, hydrogen, and other emerging green technologies based on industry developments.

During the third phase, all ports under MoPSW should ensure that at least 50% of their tug fleets are GTTP-compliant. The fourth phase will require all state-owned ports to have at least 75% of their tug fleets meet GTTP standards. For the fifth and final phase, all 12 major ports must ensure that their entire tug fleets are GTTP-compliant.

Starting in the third phase, major ports can also explore new or additional emerging green technologies for tugs based on industry advancements. To assist ports in obtaining standardized, globally benchmarked designs and specifications for tugs that comply with the required green criteria, the Ministry, through the Indian Ports Association, will publish an Approved Standard Tug Design Specifications-Green Tug Transition Programme (ASTDS-GTTP) separately for each phase of the program.

The Standing Specifications Committee (SSC), established by the Ministry in 2020, is primarily responsible for preparing standardized specifications for GTTP-compliant tugs. The SSC will prepare separate ASTDS-GTTPs for each of the five phases,

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the progressive replacement of existing diesel-powered tugs with zero-emission tugs built locally for the greening of operations at state-owned ports. Under the Green Tug Transmission Programme (GTTP), a five-phase timeline ending in 2047 has been set by the Ministry for all 12 state-owned ports to fully convert their tug fleets to green tugs. In the first phase, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority, Pradip Port Authority, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority will each acquire two new battery-electric tugs by 2027. Between 2027 and 2030, at least 50% of the tugs operating at these four state-run major ports should be green tugs. Additionally, at least 25% of tug fleets at all other major ports under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) should be GTTP-compliant. This phase may also involve the adoption of alternative/green fuels such as methanol, hydrogen, and other emerging green technologies based on industry developments. During the third phase, all ports under MoPSW should ensure that at least 50% of their tug fleets are GTTP-compliant. The fourth phase will require all state-owned ports to have at least 75% of their tug fleets meet GTTP standards. For the fifth and final phase, all 12 major ports must ensure that their entire tug fleets are GTTP-compliant. Starting in the third phase, major ports can also explore new or additional emerging green technologies for tugs based on industry advancements. To assist ports in obtaining standardized, globally benchmarked designs and specifications for tugs that comply with the required green criteria, the Ministry, through the Indian Ports Association, will publish an Approved Standard Tug Design Specifications-Green Tug Transition Programme (ASTDS-GTTP) separately for each phase of the program. The Standing Specifications Committee (SSC), established by the Ministry in 2020, is primarily responsible for preparing standardized specifications for GTTP-compliant tugs. The SSC will prepare separate ASTDS-GTTPs for each of the five phases,