Vizag Port strengthens harbour ops with 60-tonne tugboats

Visakhapatnam Port Authority has taken a significant step to upgrade its marine support fleet with the induction of a new generation of high-powered tugboats, underscoring the growing importance of harbour craft in modern port operations. Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), a state-owned Mini-Ratna defence PSU based in Visakhapatnam, marked two key milestones recently in a tug construction programme for the port. It carried out the keel-laying of the first 60-tonne bollard pull (BP) tug and simultaneously formalised a contract for the construction of a second tug of the same class. The two vessels are being designed and built domestically by HSL, continuing its long association with Visakhapatnam Port Authority and reinforcing local shipbuilding capabilities. The 60T BP tug, with an overall length of about 32.5 metres, has been designed to handle intensive harbour duties, including assisting large vessels, towing operations and responding to emergencies within port limits, as per a report.

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