Svitzer has signed a letter of intent with Cochin Shipyard to develop and construct a new generation of electric tugs in India.
The Danish towage operator said the agreement, signed during India Maritime Week in Mumbai, lays the groundwork for production of the tugs at CSL’s facilities and marks a milestone in the company’s “Make in India” ambitions.
The project involves the new electric version of TRAnsverse tugs aimed to support both Svitzer’s global fleet renewal and India’s green port and towage goals.
“This LoI represents a decisive step on our electrification journey,” said Kasper Nilaus, Svitzer’s CEO, adding: “India’s shipbuilding ecosystem and CSL’s proven track record make Cochin a great partner to build the TRAnsverse and support our shared sustainability goals.”
Madhu S Nair, chairman and managing director of Cochin Shipyard, noted that the collaboration will “showcase CSL’s world-class capabilities, deepen local supply chains, and accelerate the availability of green, high-performance tugboats for ports in India and abroad.”
The partnership also aligns with India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aim to advance the nation’s role in sustainable shipbuilding and port operations, which has already seen multiple commitments from the private sector, including the most recent investments worth more than $7bn combined by Dubai-based DP World and Danish group APM Terminals.
