TUG

Why in News?                                                                                                        

Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of MoPSW & AYUSH inaugurated the 60T bollard pull tug named ‘Ocean Grace’ and the Medical Mobile Unit (MMU), virtually.

What is Ocean Grace?

• Tugs are special boats that assist other vessels into and out of port. The primary purpose of these boats is to help move larger ships by towing, pushing, and guiding
• Bollard pull is the most commonly used measure of ship-assist tugs performance which have propellers optimized for maximum thrust at close to zero speed. Ships requiring high bollard pull can be fitted with a nozzle, which increases thrust by up to 20-40% compared to open propellers.
• The Ocean Grace is the first make in India Approved Standard Tug Design and Specifications (ASTDS) Tug developed by the Cochin Shipyard Limited under MoPSW.
• The Medical Mobile Unit (MMU) is part of port’s commitment to corporate social responsibility.
• This initiative highlights ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative of PM Modi.
• The first ASTDS tug is powered by NIGATA main engines and a Power Z-Peller ZP Propulsion engine, this tug is meticulously designed for optimal efficiency and reliability, guaranteeing seamless navigation and proficient vessel assistance, especially for large vessels like Very large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and Ultra-Large Crude Carriers (ULCC).

The goal of the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) is to convert at least 50% of all tugs into Green Tugs by 2030 and to have Green Tugs operating at all major ports. JNPA, DPA, PPA, and VoCPA will purchase two brand-new green tugs (battery-electric powered) from Cochin Shipyard by 2027 as part of the first phase. Today, PPA fulfilled the vision by coming up with India’s first ASTDS Tug.

• By implementing measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, domestic/short sea shipping ferries, port vessels (tugs/crafts/dredgers), and OSVs/PSVs aim to achieve a remarkable reduction of 50% by 2030 to 70% by 2047.