V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) announced on Saturday a concrete step towards cleaner seas by ordering its first fully electric “Green Tug”.
In an official statement, the port said it has awarded the contract to Mumbai-based Knowledge Marine Engineering Works Ltd., calling it “a milestone in our journey towards a cleaner, greener, and future-ready port ecosystem”.
Designed for zero emissions, lower operating costs and quieter performance, the tug will directly support VOC Port’s Green Port and Net Zero ambitions, reducing both fuel use and noise in busy harbour waters, VOC Port Authority stated.
Last month, VOC Port was honoured with the ‘Green Visionary’ award for bringing out the ongoing and future green initiatives at the India Maritime Week 2025 celebrations.
The port authority described the move as “a proud step towards smarter and environmentally responsible port operations,” signalling that tugs, which are critical for guiding large ships safely in and out of the harbour, are now firmly on the decarbonisation agenda.
Electric tugs are expected to help cut local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, while offering long-term savings on fuel and maintenance compared with conventional diesel-powered vessels.
MV Lima Trader reaches VOC Port
This green push follows a string of recent sustainability-linked milestones for VOC Port. On Friday, the port announced it received its first coastal clinker vessel under a new Memorandum of Understanding with Ambuja Cement Limited, Gujarat, as part of a Minimum Guaranteed Tonnage-based Incentive Scheme for coastal clinkers.
The vessel, MV Lima Trader, carried 56,440 metric tonnes of clinker from Sanghi Port to Tuticorin, marking the first tranche of an agreed-upon 250,000 metric tonnes of annual coastal movement.
VOC Port Chairperson Susanta Kumar Purohit called the shipment “a major step toward sustainable and cost-effective coastal transportation,” noting that more such vessels are expected, which will “further strengthen cargo volumes and reinforce the port–industry partnership”.
October cargo jump
Earlier, on November 14, VOC Port reported robust growth in October 2025 cargo and container handling, including a 10.94 per cent jump in monthly cargo to 3.94 million tonnes and a 20.83 per cent rise in containers to 75,110 TEUs compared with October 2024.
The port authority stated that this was due to faster turnaround times and improved export handling through its Direct Port Entry facility.