State-owned shipbuilder Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) has emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for the construction and delivery of a 15-tonne Bollard Pull (BP) Electric Tug for Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, marking another significant step in its growing portfolio of green maritime projects.
The electric tug, designed for harbour assistance and towing operations, will be 25 metres long with a beam of 8 metres and powered entirely by battery-based propulsion. The vessel is expected to generate a static ahead bollard pull of 15 tonnes, achieve a maximum speed of 9 knots, and operate continuously for up to two hours on a single charge.
Built to International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) standards, the tug will feature advanced battery propulsion technology aimed at reducing emissions and supporting cleaner, more sustainable port operations. The project aligns with the maritime sector’s increasing focus on decarbonisation and the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies.
The latest order further strengthens GRSE’s position in the green vessel segment. The shipyard has already delivered a fully electric zero-emission ferry to the Government of West Bengal and is currently constructing 13 hybrid ferries for the state. It is also building 12 multi-purpose vessels for a German client, with four vessels equipped with green propulsion systems.
Beyond commercial shipbuilding, GRSE continues to maintain a strong presence in the defence sector. The company has delivered 118 warships to the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and friendly foreign nations—the highest number delivered by any Indian shipyard—and is progressing towards securing a contract for five Next Generation Corvettes.
With strong in-house design capabilities, modern shipbuilding infrastructure, and increasing expertise in sustainable maritime technologies, GRSE continues to expand its footprint across both defence and commercial shipbuilding markets.
