Key Highlights
- Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works secured its third Green Tug contract from Mumbai Port Authority.
- The contract is valued at approximately ₹279.33 crore including taxes.
- The order involves construction and hiring of a 60-tonne bollard pull battery-operated electric Green Tug.
- The contract has a tenure of 15 years.
- The scope includes construction, manning, operations, maintenance and complete technical management.
- The latest order takes KMEW’s Green Tug contracts from Major Ports to three.
- The vessel will be constructed with support from KMEW subsidiary Knowledge Shipyard Limited.
- The project forms part of KMEW’s expansion into green vessels and specialised marine infrastructure.
Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Limited (KMEW) has secured its third Green Tug contract from the Mumbai Port Authority for the construction and long-term operation of a battery-operated electric Green Tug.
The contract is valued at approximately ₹279.33 crore, including taxes, and covers the construction and hiring of a 60-tonne bollard pull capacity New Battery Operated Electric Green Tug, along with manning, operations, maintenance and complete technical management. The contract has a tenure of 15 years.
KMEW Expands Green Tug Portfolio
With the latest order, KMEW has secured three Green Tug contracts from Major Ports within a relatively short period. The company said the contracts expand its portfolio of next-generation marine assets with long-term operating commitments.
The new Green Tug will be constructed alongside KMEW’s other Green Tugs at a common shipbuilding platform. The construction activities will be supported through its subsidiary, Knowledge Shipyard Limited, which is also involved in the development of the company’s other green maritime initiatives.
KMEW said developing multiple Green Tugs through a common shipbuilding platform could support greater standardisation, repeatability and execution efficiency while allowing the company to build specialised capabilities in next-generation marine asset construction.
Integrated Marine Infrastructure Strategy
The company plans to use its capabilities across shipbuilding, marine operations and asset management throughout the lifecycle of the vessels, covering construction, commissioning, operations and maintenance.
KMEW has experience in operating and managing specialised marine assets across dredging, port operations and allied marine services. The Green Tug business represents an extension of these existing marine capabilities into vessel construction and long-term asset management.
The company described its broader development approach as spanning dredging, marine assets, green vessels, indigenous shipbuilding and lifecycle marine infrastructure.
Green Tug Programme and Maritime Transition
The Green Tug contract aligns with India’s broader efforts to transition harbour operations towards cleaner marine transportation. The Government of India’s Green Tug Transition Programme, announced on May 22, 2023, under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, aims to accelerate the adoption of cleaner and more sustainable harbour vessels.
KMEW said its expanding Green Tug portfolio provides an opportunity to participate in this transition while contributing to the development of domestic capabilities in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of advanced marine assets.
The company also said that developing these vessels in India could support the broader objectives of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, while contributing to the domestic shipbuilding ecosystem.
Management Commentary
Suay Kevalramani, CEO of Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Limited, said the third Green Tug contract with Mumbai Port Authority strengthens the company’s presence in specialised and sustainable maritime infrastructure.
According to the company, constructing the latest vessel alongside its other two Green Tugs at a common shipbuilding platform is intended to support standardisation, strengthen execution capabilities and build technical expertise in the segment.
KMEW said its objective extends beyond constructing individual vessels to developing capabilities covering the complete lifecycle of next-generation marine assets, from construction and commissioning to operations and maintenance.
The company also stated that the vessels being built in India are intended to contribute to the development of domestic capabilities in specialised marine infrastructure and shipbuilding.
