Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India’s largest integrated transport utility company, has announced the procurement of eight state-of-the-art harbor tugs, all to be constructed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. The company said that this initiative aligns with the government’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives by boosting local manufacturing and enhancing self-reliance in the maritime sector.
With a total contract value estimated at Rs 450 Crore, these tugs are expected to begin delivery in December 2026 and continue until May 2028, significantly improving the efficiency and safety of vessel operations in Indian ports.
Previously, APSEZ contracted the construction of two 62-tonne bollard pull ASD (Azimuthing Stern Drive) tugs to Cochin Shipyard Ltd for Ocean Sparkle Ltd, both of which were delivered ahead of schedule and deployed at Paradeep Port and New Mangalore Port. The construction of three additional ASD tugs is currently underway, bringing the total order to 13 tugs, aimed at providing a younger fleet for efficient and reliable services in the port sector.
What Adani Ports And Special Economic Zone Said?
“This collaboration to procure from Cochin Shipyard Ltd signifies our commitment to enhancing maritime infrastructure in India and demonstrates our confidence in our nation’s PSUs. By leveraging local manufacturing capabilities, which are world-class, we aim to contribute to the ‘Make in India’ initiative while ensuring that our operations meet international standards of safety and efficiency,” said
Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director & CEO of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ).
Notably, Adani Ports, a part of the globally diversified Adani Group, has evolved from a port company to an Integrated Transport Utility providing end to-end solutions from its port gate to customer gate. It is the largest port developer and operator in India with 7 strategically located ports and terminals on the west coast (Mundra, Tuna Tekra & Berth 13 in Kandla, Dahej, and Hazira in Gujarat, Mormugao in Goa, Dighi in Maharashtra and Vizhinjam in Kerala) and 8 ports and terminals on the East coast (Haldia in West Bengal, Dhamra and Gopalpur in Odisha, Gangavaram and Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Kattupalli and Ennore in TamilNadu and Karaikal in Puducherry), representing 27% of the country’s total port volumes, thus providing capabilities to handle vast amounts of cargo from both coastal areas and the hinterland.
