Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) kickstarted the construction of three advanced battery-electric 70T bollard pull tugs for Denmark-based marine salvage giant Svitzer A/S this week.
India's major shipbuilding-repair giant announced the steel-cutting ceremony for three tugs on Tuesday. The cutting was initiated by Jens Ove Kymler Rasmussen of Svitzer in the presence of Dr Harikrishnan S (Director – Operations, CSL), Harikumar A (CEO, UCSL), and Shiraz V.P. (Executive Director – Shipbuilding, CSL), along with other senior officials.
CSL inked the shipbuilding agreement last year with Svitzer to make four next-generation battery-electric TRAnsverse 2600e tugs.
These tugs are designed to handle demanding close-quarter operations. "The TRAnsverse tugs can operate across a wide range of vessel types and sizes, including in challenging weather and tidal conditions. Powered by battery-electric propulsion, the vessels will enable zero direct emissions during port and terminal towage operations when charged with green power," CSL stated.
As of today, CSL's order book consists of 17 ASTDS tugs and 6 green tugs. "It is a proud moment for CSL to partner with Svitzer in building four advanced, fully electric TRAnsverse tugs," Jose V J, Chairman and Managing Director of CSL.
"Through such initiatives, CSL is contributing to the decarbonisation of the maritime sector. CSL is also constructing two GTTP tugs under the Government of India’s Green Tug Transition Programme, further strengthening our commitment to green shipbuilding and a more sustainable maritime industry," he added.
