Government asks Major Ports to use locally built Tug Boats

September 4, 2020

The government has asked all major ports to procure or charter tug boats that are made in India to revive the Indian shipbuilding industry.

Key facts

The proposal has been initiated by The Ministry of Shipping
Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya called it as a step towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Shipping’ under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ drive.
The all procurement being done by major ports will now be carried out as per the revised ‘Make in India’ order
Move is aimed at promoting Indian shipbuilding industry and for “Make in India shipbuilding”.
It is a step towards the revival of Indian shipbuilding.
In this regard, it is proposed to set up a Standing Specifications Committee under Managing Director, Indian Ports Association, and comprising representatives from Cochin Ship Yard Limited (CSL), Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and Director General of Shipping
Standing Specifications Committee would shortlist around five variants/ types of tugs and prepare a ‘Approved Standardized Tug Design and Specifications (ASTDS)
This ASTDS would outline specifications, general arrangements, basic calculations, basic structural drawings, key system drawings and other construction standards.
The ministry will also provide some window to major ports so that construction time would be availed.

Recently, the government owned Cochin Shipyard Limited has also been successful in grabbing the order for two automated vessels from the Norwegian Government. These will be the first of its kind unmanned vessels.

What is Tug Boat?

A tug boat is a boat which helps in mooring or berthing operation of a ship by either towing or pushing a vessel towards the port.

Major Ports in India

Kandla, Mumbai, JNPT, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Kamarajar (Ennore), VO Chidambaranar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) — that handle about 61 per cent of the country’s total cargo traffic.

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