India, South Korea join electric tug revolution

Battery-electric tugboats in South Korea and India will be built with integrated energy, power, propulsion and automation technology to offer low- or zero-emissions towage in ports. The two countries are the latest to build tugs with an energy storage system (ESS) to cut emissions when manoeuvring ships in harbours.

South Korea welcomed its first hybrid-electric tug in H2 2024 when DongSung shipyard built Meta 7 for Meta Tug to assist ships at Busan Port. A further two are being built in South Korea for other ports.

India has also begun constructing electric tugboats, with the first to be built by Mandovi Drydocks in partnership with Ripley Group to a NavNautik design with 60 tonnes of bollard pull, for deployment in Q4 2026 at Deendayal Port, in Gujarat. This is part of India’s green-tug transition programme (GTTP) and represents the world’s first full electrical tug integration.

Kongsberg Maritime supplied systems and components for the Meta 7 project and will supply systems this India electric tug. For Meta 7, the Norwegian technology integrator supplied the hybrid-electric propulsion comprising 646 kWh of batteries and two 2,560-kW diesel engines to generate electricity running twin Kongsberg US 255 S P30 azimuth thrusters with electric induction motors, plus a K-Power DC electrical system, transformer, connection for shore charging and K-Chief 700 automation and controls.

Kongsberg Maritime senior vice president for tug sales Nils-Reidar Valle says the group has supplied integrated systems for three other other hybrid-electric tugs scheduled for delivery in South Korea. “There are other opportunities in South Korea we are working on to supply Kongsberg equipment,” he says.

Feedback from the operation of Meta 7 has been positive, with the hybrid tug exceeding expectations and reducing fuel consumption. “Meta 7 has performed very well during the first year of operation,” says Mr Valle. “From the collection of operational data, which has been verified by the customer, fuel savings have been over 25%.”

On the Indian electric tug project, Kongsberg will supply and integrate permanent magnet (PM) driven azimuth thrusters, advanced electrical systems including an ESS, K-Chief automation, controls and power management, and Vessel Insight digital solutions.

“We are working with NavNautik on the design to ensure our equipment fits into this tug, and we have done technical developments, especially on the ESS, to ensure it meets the expected operational profile,” says Mr Valle.

“Under the GTTP India programme, there could be 16 electric-power tugs with tenders out for different ports and areas.” Kongsberg is working shipyards and owners in India on these tenders.

“We have the correct technology solutions, and we are setting standards, working in India to secure other tenders and working with operators and owners to be ready under a local set up,” Mr Valle adds. “A full solution, based on Kongsberg’s portfolio, is an optimised whole energy system. This has positive effects in reducing capital and operational expenditure.”

Kongsberg has previously worked with Damen Shipyards, providing azimuth thrusters for battery-electric propulsion reverse stern drive tugs – Sparky, Bu Tinah and Volta 1 – which feature 2,784 kWh batteries and twin US 255 L-drive thrusters, each with a PM and a fixed-pitch propeller in a nozzle.

“We are working on several hybrid and electric-propulsion tugs, using experience from existing projects and proven technology on Damen-built tugs and on offshore vessels,” says Mr Valle.  

Tugs with emissions-reduction technologies cost more than conventional tugs running on diesel, but there are ways to reduce these high costs.

Integrated solutions “enable traditional mechanical yards with limited electrical power and automation control capabilities to offer more sophisticated tugs,” he continues. “Tug owners benefit from the lower cost steel and outfitting while still being able to procure integrated propulsion, power, and control systems.” Kongsberg manages deliveries to ensure this equipment is installed and commissioned to the tug owner’s specifications.