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Svitzer lines up Indian shipyard for electric tug construction
One of the world’s largest tug owners has shaken hands with an Indian shipbuilder to advance construction of electric-powered tugboats
Svitzer has turned to India for the construction of new battery-electric tugboats it intends to operate in ports with charging stations as it renews and expands its fleet.
The AP Moller Holdings’ subsidiary has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), a leading Indian shipbuilder, to build a fleet of electric TRAnsverse tugs in the country.
Under the agreement, Svitzer and CSL will collaborate to build electric tugboats based on the TRAnsverse design that Svitzer developed with Canadian naval architect Robert Allan Ltd at CSL’s yard facilities in India.
Svitzer hopes this will support India’s green port and green towage ambition at a time when the Indian government is providing grants to domestic shipyards as part of its green initiatives, including its green-tug transition programme (GTTP). If this LoI becomes a firm contract, Svitzer’s orders would strengthen India’s role as a growing global hub for building electric-powered vessels.
“With this LoI we are taking a decisive step on our electrification journey,” said Svitzer chief executive Kasper Nilaus. “India’s shipbuilding ecosystem, and CSL’s proven track record, make Cochin a great place to further develop and build TRAnsverse tugs.”
Svitzer has previously signposted its intent to order a fleet of four electric-powered tugboats with onboard energy storage and back-up generators as part of its strategy to reduce emissions from harbour operations as it renews its fleet.
Svitzer is aligning with the Indian government’s Maritime India Vision 2030, GTTP and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 by signing this LoI.
“By pairing Svitzer’s nearly 200 years of towage experience with Indian engineering and manufacturing strength, we aim to deliver cleaner, safer and more efficient harbour operations for customers in India and around the world,” said Mr Nilaus.
Svitzer plans to use made-in-India vessels for its global fleet renewal and growth markets, including India, as investment continues in ports worldwide to expand import and export capabilities and new terminals are built.
“We look forward to working closely with Svitzer to make plans for building the next-generation TRAnsverse tug in India,” said Cochin Shipyard chairman and managing director, Madhu S Nair.
“This collaboration will showcase CSL’s world-class capabilities, deepen local supply chains and talent, and accelerate the availability of green, high-performance tugboats for ports at home and abroad.”
These will not be the first electric-powered tugboats built in India. In 2025, Mandovi Drydocks started construction of the first battery-electric tug in India for operation in Deendayal Port, in Gujarat from Q4 2026.
This vessel is being built with 60 tonnes of bollard pull for Ripley Group to a NavNautik design with an integrated power and propulsion system from Kongsberg Maritime under the GTTP government initiative.
Also in India, Svitzer and the Shipping Corp of India (SCI) signed a memorandum of understanding at the end of October to collaborate on advancing sustainable maritime operations and supporting India’s transition toward a low-carbon future.
“The partnership will explore opportunities to deploy next-generation, fuel-efficient tugboats, integrate digital optimisation technologies, and exchange expertise in safety and decarbonisation,” said Svitzer in a social media post.
“This collaboration builds on our shared ambition to strengthen India’s maritime ecosystem, aligning with national initiatives such as Maritime India Vision and Make in India. Together, we aim to contribute to cleaner, safer and more efficient port operations in India and beyond.”
During the final week of October, Svitzer’s management met with national, regional and industrial leaders in India, including minister of ports, shipping and waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, and chief minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel.
The 28th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, in association with Caterpillar, 19-21 May 2026. Use this link for more details of this industry event and the associated social and networking opportunities.
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