Knowledge Marine Secures ₹385.76 Cr Green Tug Contract from VOCPA
Filing Summary
Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Ltd (KMEW) has received a ₹385.76 crore Letter of Intent from V. O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) for hiring and managing a 60-ton electric Green Tug under the Green Tug Transition Program. The contract, valid for 15 years, covers manning, operations, maintenance, and technical management. The tug will be designed and built in-house by KMEW. The engagement is part of India’s maritime decarbonization initiative under the Maritime India Vision 2030, which promotes zero-emission port operations and adoption of sustainable propulsion technologies.
Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Ltd (KMEW) has received a Letter of Intent (LOI) from V. O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) for the hiring of one 60-ton Bollard Pull capacity Electric Tug under the Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP). The order is valued at ₹385.76 crore, including taxes, for a tenure of 15 years.
The project includes complete manning, operation, maintenance, and technical management of the 60-ton battery-operated electric tug at VOCPA. The contract is domestic in nature and does not fall under any related-party transaction.
The electric tug will be designed and built in-house by Knowledge Marine. This engagement marks one of the longest-tenured contracts awarded to the company. The project will be executed under GTTP compliance, a Government of India initiative aimed at transitioning port operations toward cleaner, zero-emission alternatives.
Under the first phase of GTTP, major Indian ports, including Deendayal, Jawaharlal Nehru, Paradip, V.O. Chidambaranar, New Mangalore, and Visakhapatnam, are mandated to deploy electric or hybrid tugs for harbour operations. The initiative aligns with the Government’s Maritime India Vision 2030, which targets a 30% reduction in carbon emissions per ton of cargo handled and a shift toward sustainable energy use across port operations.
The 60-ton electric green tug project will operate for 15 years under KMEW’s full management, ensuring operational continuity and technical compliance. The order reflects a strategic focus on expanding green and sustainable marine assets across Indian ports.
About V. O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA):
VOCPA, located in Tamil Nadu, is one of India’s major ports and is part of the Government’s national-level decarbonization roadmap. The port has initiated tenders under GTTP to introduce zero-emission tugs, aligning with the broader Maritime India Vision 2030.
About Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Ltd:
Established in 2015, Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Ltd (KMEW) is engaged in shipbuilding, repair, dredging, chartering, and marine contracting services. The company owns and operates marine crafts, performs dredging and refit work, and provides marine infrastructure services. KMEW serves clients including the Ministry of External Affairs, Dredging Corporation of India, and major port trusts across India. Headquartered in Mumbai, the company continues to expand its marine engineering capabilities and sustainable vessel portfolio.