Green
Tug Transition Programme - ENVIRONMENT
News: Union
Minister of Port Shipping and Waterways, officially launched the SOP
for Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) today
in New Delhi.
What’s in the news?
- This landmark initiative aims
to transition from conventional fuel-based harbour tugs to greener, more
sustainable alternatives.
- It marks a major step in India's
commitment to environmental sustainability and the advancement of
its maritime sector.
GTTP
- The GTTP is a key
initiative under the ‘Panch Karma Sankalp’.
- Announced on May 22, 2023,
this program seeks to decarbonize maritime operations in India.
- The program will phase out
conventional fuel-based harbour tugs and replace them with green
tugs powered by cleaner fuels.
TUG
A tug boat or tug
are marine vessels that manoeuvre ships by pushing or pulling them, mostly
using tow lines. They tug ships in circumstances where the ships cannot or do
not move using their power like in narrow harbors, canals, etc.
National Centre of Excellence
in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS)
- Located at Gurugram, Haryana
- Setup by: NCoEGPS is the result
of a collaboration between the Ministry of Ports, Shipping &
Waterways, the Government of India, and the Energy and Resources Institute
(TERI).
- Purpose: The center will engage
in developing the regulatory framework and alternative
technology adoption roadmap for green shipping in India.
- It will act as a technological arm of
MoPSW for providing the needed support on Policy, Research, and
Cooperation in Green Shipping areas.
Phase 1 Details
- Phase 1 of
the GTTP will commence on October 1, 2024, and run until December
31, 2027. During this phase, four Major Ports—Jawaharlal Nehru Port
Authority, Deendayal Port Authority, Paradip Port
Authority, and O. Chidambaranar Port Authority—will
procure or charter at least two green tugs each.
- These tugs will follow standardized
designs issued by the Standing Specification Committee (SSC).
- An investment of approximately INR
1000 Crores is anticipated for building these tugs. The initial
tugs will be battery-electric, with future provisions for
adopting technologies like hybrid, methanol,
and green hydrogen.
Sustainable and Green
Maritime Sector
- The GTTP is a pivotal initiative
towards realizing our vision of a sustainable and green maritime
sector in India.
- This program aligns with our
environmental goals.
Domestic Industry Impact
- The GTTP will significantly boost the
domestic tug industry.
- All tugs built under this program
will be constructed in Indian shipyards as part of
the ‘Make in India’
- It is expected to create
substantial employment opportunities in shipbuilding and ship
design.
Future Goals
- By 2040, all tugs
operating in Indian Major Ports are expected to transition to green tugs.
- After 2033, any new tug
built in India for use in Indian ports will need to comply with the ASTDS-GTTP
standards.
Maritime Vision 2030
- The Maritime India Vision
2030 (MIV 2030), launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in
2020, outlines strategies to enhance India’s maritime sector.
- It aims to make India a global leader
in safety, sustainability, and environmental
responsibility.
- The vision includes targets such as
sourcing 60% of each major port’s power demand from renewable
energy and reducing carbon emissions by 30% per
ton of cargo by 2030.
- The Maritime Amrit Kaal
Vision 2047, introduced in 2023, aims for a 30% reduction in greenhouse
gas emissions from port vessels by 2030.
- Harbor tugs are ideal candidates
for green technologies, such as electric propulsion and alternative
fuels, to cut emissions while maintaining operational efficiency.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2045946#:~:text=The%20GTTP%20is%20designed%20to,continue%20until%20December%2031%2C%202027.