India’s green tug push gains momentum

The vessels will operate at Visakhapatnam Port Authority and V.O.C Port Authority in Tuticorin, strengthening the shift toward port electrification and lowering emissions across India’s ports. 

“India is a long-term market for Echandia, and we have invested in local presence to support customers across the full life of their vessels. For tug operators, operational availability is the deciding factor,” said Rakshith Sachitanand, senior strategist at Echandia.

”Our LTO chemistry and battery management system always gives crews an accurate state of charge and maximum bollard pull, so there are no surprises in operation. Once operators experience that consistency, confidence in electric tugs follow.”

Full service life

Echandia’s battery systems are designed for a 15-year service life, matching the full concession period of the vessels and eliminating the need for mid-life battery replacement.

The company said that this approach reduces operational disruption, downtime and lifecycle costs for tug operators focused on long-term electrification strategies.

The vessels, which are scheduled to enter operation during the second quarter of 2027, will be designed by Navnautik Technical Services Pvt Ltd, Kolkata, following Echandia’s earlier Green Tug Transition Program project at Kandla Port.

Echandia already has an established presence in India, where its LTO-based battery systems have powered 23 Kochi Water Metro ferries since 2023.

India’s Green Tug Transition Program aims to further reduce port emissions by accelerating the transition from diesel-powered harbour tugs to cleaner electric alternatives, supporting wider sustainability goals for port infrastructure and operations.

The order marks the first Indian deployment of the recently launched Echandia Core battery system.