• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and Svitzer have commenced the construction of four state-of-the-art electric tugs in a formal steel-cutting ceremony held at the Cochin shipyard. These vessels are among the most advanced eco-friendly tugs being built worldwide.
The ceremony follows the shipbuilding agreement signed in December 2025 between CSL and Svitzer for a series of four state-of-the-art TRAnsverse 2600e electric tugs. The agreement, signed last year, covers a minimum of four units and reflects Svitzer's growing investment in India's maritime supply chain.
The collaboration marks a significant step in strengthening India's maritime manufacturing ecosystem, aligning with the national priorities of India's Maritime Vision 2030, Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047, and the Government's "Make in India" program.
Built to Svitzer's specifications, these vessels are high-tech tugs capable of meeting the ambitions of India's Green Tug Transition Programme, while developing national capacity in electric propulsion and high-specification vessel construction, maintaining their roots in India.
Speaking at the event, Jose VJ, Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard Limited, stated that "it is a great honor for CSL to partner with Svitzer for the construction of four TRAnsverse 2600e all-electric harbor tugs, and we look forward to further strengthening this collaboration thanks to our expertise and capability in shipbuilding. In this way, CSL will play a fundamental role in advancing the decarbonization goals of the sector."
The TRAnsverse 2600e is the battery-electric version of Svitzer's state-of-the-art tug, designed for demanding port operations. Often described as the "Swiss Army knife" of tugs, the design is capable of operating in complex environments and confined spaces, with different types and sizes of vessels, and under adverse weather and tidal conditions. The vessels feature battery-electric propulsion and, when charged with renewable energy sources, will enable zero direct emissions in port and terminal tugging operations.
Kasper Karlsen, Chief Operating Officer of Svitzer, who delivered the keynote speech at the ceremony, explained that "the TRAnsverse system is designed to eliminate limitations in our customers' operations. It offers faster and more predictable vessel movements, which protects quay productivity and turnaround times, and allows a port to make the most of the quays, channels, and pilots it already has without a proportional increase in fleet size or infrastructure. This is proven technology, with over 3000 commercial tugging services performed with this class of vessels, and Svitzer has 18 TRAnsverse vessels under construction worldwide."
Deniz Kirdar True, Managing Director for AMEA at Svitzer, said that "we evaluated shipyards worldwide before selecting CSL. Four TRAnsverse 2600e all-electric tugs have already begun construction here in Cochin, among the most advanced eco-friendly tugs being built in the world, and the capacity to build them remains in India."
"This reflects Svitzer's growing investment in the Indian maritime supply chain and in the construction of advanced eco-friendly tugs capable of contributing to India's Green Tug Transition Programme and the ambitions of the Amrit Kaal Maritime Vision 2047. We are pleased to have the opportunity to deepen our collaboration with India and further expand our portfolio of green tug construction projects," added the Svitzer executive.
As part of this effort, the Government has approved a comprehensive USD 740 million package to strengthen national shipbuilding capacity, maritime financing, and training, further reinforcing the sector's role in India's maritime growth ambitions.
