Underwater Services Company Ltd, a unit of Samson Maritime Ltd, is poised to secure a 15-year charter contract from the state-run New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) for deploying a 60-tonne bollard pull battery-electric tug, after emerging as the lowest bidder with a day rate of ₹6,25,444, according to multiple sources.
The price bid submitted by Underwater Services will now be vetted by NMPA before being referred to the port’s board for final approval, a source familiar with the development said.
This marks the second green tug tender to be finalised by a major port in India under the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP). Earlier, in May 2025, Deendayal Port Authority at Kandla awarded a similar 15-year charter contract to Netincon Marketing Pvt Ltd, part of the Kolkata-based Ripley Group, at a comparable rate of ₹6,30,000 per day.
The GTTP, launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) in 2024, aims to transition India’s major ports from conventional fuel-based harbour tugs to cleaner, greener alternatives such as battery-electric, hybrid, methanol, and green hydrogen-powered tugs.
Under the first phase of the programme, running through December 2027, six major ports — Jawaharlal Nehru, Deendayal, Paradip, VO Chidambaranar, New Mangalore, and Visakhapatnam — will each charter at least two green tugs built to standardised designs and specifications set by the Standing Specification Committee (SSC).
So far, tenders have been floated by all six ports. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority has received bids from several companies, including BDP UGL Global Logistics, Greenship Bulls, Jalship Management, Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works, Polestar Maritime, Svitzer Hazira, Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) and Underwater Services Company.
At VOC Port Authority, Shipping Corporation of India, Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works, and Industrial Handling Pvt Ltd are competing for the electric tug contract, while Paradip Port Authority has shortlisted Shipping Corporation of India, Netincon Marketing, and Industrial Handling for its tender.
In a significant technological milestone, Kongsberg Maritime AS, a Norwegian marine technology firm, will supply a fully integrated equipment package for India’s first fully electric tug, being built at Mandovi Drydocks in Goa for Netincon Marketing. The package includes permanent magnet-driven azimuth thrusters, advanced electrical systems with energy storage, automation, and digital integration solutions.
“This contract is not only a technological milestone as our first full-electric tug, but also a strong signal of trust from the Indian maritime industry,” said Annette Holte, Country Manager, Kongsberg Maritime India. “It’s a great example of how global expertise and local collaboration can come together to drive sustainable innovation.”
The 60-tonne bollard pull electric tug for Deendayal Port has been designed by NavNautik and is expected to be delivered and commissioned in Q4 2026.
With the Green Tug Transition Programme gathering momentum, India is making decisive strides toward decarbonising its maritime operations. By 2040, all tugs operating across major ports are expected to be green, reinforcing India’s commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible port operations.
