India advances green ports as ABB secures electric tug project at JNPA

The vessels will be delivered to Polestar Maritime in 2027.

ABB has secured a contract with Cochin Shipyard to supply power and propulsion systems for two electric harbor tugs under India’s Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP).

The vessels will be delivered to Polestar Maritime in 2027 and will operate at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, the country’s largest container port handling about half of India’s containerised cargo through major ports.

The GTTP is a national initiative aimed at decarbonizing India’s harbor tug fleet by gradually replacing diesel-powered vessels with low- and zero-emission alternatives between 2024 and 2040. It is structured in five phases and forms part of broader efforts to modernise port operations and reduce maritime emissions.

Under the contract, ABB will provide a full scope of electrical, propulsion, automation, and digital systems. At the core of the solution is ABB’s Onboard DC Grid™ platform and its PEMS™ (Power and Energy Management System), designed to optimise energy use from onboard batteries and manage fluctuating power demands typical of tug operations.

The modular DC Grid system enables efficient integration of energy storage, improves drivetrain performance, and extends vessel operating range per charge—key requirements for high-intensity harbor tug duties.

The scope also includes ABB Ability™ Remote Diagnostic System for marine monitoring, predictive maintenance, and remote troubleshooting to improve operational reliability.

Cochin Shipyard said ABB was selected for its experience in marine electrification and system reliability.

ABB said the project reflects growing adoption of electric port operations in India and builds on its existing marine electrification work across Asia.