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Cochin Shipyard Limited has formalised contracts for two battery-electric green harbour tugs with Polestar Maritime after the tug operator secured a long-term charter from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority under the Green Tug Transition Programme. The vessels, which were earlier under construction without confirmed buyers, will now be built jointly by Cochin Shipyard and its subsidiary Udupi-CSL at Kochi. Designed for zero direct emissions during harbour operations, the tugs will support India's push toward cleaner port infrastructure.
Cochin Shipyard Limited has converted two battery-electric green harbour tugs that were under construction into confirmed contracts with Polestar Maritime. The conversion follows Polestar Maritime securing a 15-year charter agreement from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority under the Government of India's Green Tug Transition Programme, which aims to replace conventional fuel-based tugs at major ports with low-emission alternatives. Advertisement
The two tugs will have a bollard pull of 60 tonnes and will be built based on designs provided by Canada-based Robert Allan Limited, a global specialist in harbour tug design. The vessels will operate on battery-electric propulsion systems, enabling zero direct emissions during port and harbour operations such as berthing and unberthing of vessels.
Construction will be carried out at Cochin Shipyard's Kochi facility under a co-construction arrangement with its wholly owned subsidiary, Udupi-Cochin Shipyard Limited. The batteries required for the propulsion systems will be sourced domestically, aligning with broader Make in India objectives and reducing dependence on imported components.
Cochin Shipyard had initiated construction of these green tugs ahead of confirmed orders to reduce delivery timelines once charter operators were finalised. Polestar Maritime emerged as the successful bidder for the JNPA charter by offering the lowest daily rate during the tendering process, which led to the conversion of the vessels into firm contracts.
The Green Tug Transition Programme is a key part of India's maritime decarbonisation strategy, with harbour tugs identified as early adopters of cleaner technology due to their predictable operating patterns and high fuel consumption in confined port areas. Cochin Shipyard has previously delivered conventional tugs to Indian ports and has gradually expanded its portfolio to include hybrid and fully electric tug designs.
With this latest contract, Cochin Shipyard's order book includes a mix of conventional and green tugs at various stages of construction, reinforcing its position in both traditional shipbuilding and emerging sustainable maritime solutions.
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