Minister flags off steel cutting for India’s first Green Tug for Deendayal Port

In a landmark moment for India’s maritime sector, Mr Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways, virtually flagged off the steel cutting ceremony for India’s first All-Electric Green Tug, being built for Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla under the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP).

The ceremony was also graced by the virtual presence of Mr Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways; Mr Vijay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways; Mr Sunil Paliwal, IAS, Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India; Mr Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME, Chairman, DPA; senior officers and staff of DPA, representatives of Netincon / Ripley, technical experts from Kongsberg, and the engineering teams of Atreya Shipyard.

Mr Nilabhra Dasgupta, IRS, Deputy Chairman, and Mr J. K. Rathod, CPES, CVO, DPA, joined the event through video conferencing along with DPA officers from the Administrative Office Building, Gandhidham, while DPA representatives were present on-site in Goa to witness the steel cutting first-hand.

Promoting the spirit of “Make in India, Make for the World,” DPA’s All-Electric Green Tug will be equipped with a 60-ton bollard pull capacity, ensuring silent operations, zero carbon emissions and maximum efficiency. This next-generation tug is poised to set new benchmarks in sustainable maritime operations.

Mr Sonowal, in his address, highlighted that under the Prime Minister’s visionary leadership, India is fully committed to sustainable growth and clean energy transition. The commencement of steel cutting for DPA’s Green Tug represents a major step forward in this direction.

He further stated that the upcoming fleet of Indian Green Tugs will not only strengthen the nation’s maritime capabilities but will also create a global market footprint.

He extended his warm appreciation and best wishes to all stakeholders, engineers, technicians and partner agencies involved in this prestigious project, noting that their dedication is shaping the future of maritime operations in India.

Deendayal Port Authority, through this pioneering initiative, continues to play a leading role in promoting green technologies and sustainable port operations in alignment with the Government of India’s maritime vision, emphasised a release.

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