Kongsberg Maritime has landed a landmark contract to deliver a fully integrated equipment package for what’s being billed as the “world’s first” full-electric tugboat in India. The project, part of India’s Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP), marks a significant leap forward in both the nation’s maritime decarbonization ambitions and the global push for electrification in ports.
The tug, designed by marine engineering firm NavNautik, is set to boast a 60-ton bollard pull and will be commissioned at Deendayal Port in Gujarat by the end of 2026. The contract was awarded by shipbuilding and repair company Mandovi Drydocks in partnership with Ripley Group, a logistics and port development firm. Kongsberg Maritime’s scope of supply includes permanent magnet (PM) driven azimuth thrusters, energy storage systems (ESS), automation and control solutions (K-Chief and K-Chief PMS), and digital tools (Vessel Insight and Vessel Performance). This isn’t just a one-off; the project is a blueprint for future e-tug deployments, with Kongsberg calling it their first full-electric tug contract.
“Electric tugboats are a significantly different vessel from traditional mechanical tugs, and owners and yards need confidence in these new emission-reducing technologies,” said Mark Callaway, Senior Sales Manager, Tug Systems, Kongsberg Maritime. This isn’t hyperbole—it’s a nod to the steep learning curve in electrifying tugs, where power density, charging infrastructure, and operational reliability are still being tested.
India’s Green Tug Transition Program, launched in August 2024, is a cornerstone of the country’s broader ‘Panch Karma Sankalp’ initiative, which targets green shipping and digitalization. With an investment of around $120.5 million, the GTTP aims to transition harbor tugboats to zero- or low-emission vessels by 2047, with a 50% zero-emission target by 2030. The first phase, running until 2027, will see four key ports—Jawaharlal Nehru, Deendayal, Paradip, and V.O. Chidambaranar—each procure or charter at least two green tugboats. While the initial focus is on battery-electric tugs, the program is designed to accommodate emerging technologies like hybrid systems, methanol, green hydrogen, and ammonia as they mature.
Beyond GTTP, India is doubling down on maritime decarbonization. In March 2025, the government announced a $23.8 billion investment to revamp the maritime industry and expand domestic shipbuilding capabilities. Additionally, India’s first non-banking financial company (NBFC) for the maritime sector was established in July, aimed at ensuring sustainable development.
This project isn’t just about a single tugboat—it’s a test case for how quickly India can scale electrification in its ports. If successful, it could accelerate adoption across South Asia, where port emissions are a growing concern. The real question is whether this model can be replicated at scale, and whether other nations will follow suit. One thing’s clear: India is betting big on green tugs, and the world is watching.