News Excerpt:

The Union Minister of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) recently inaugurated the 60T bollard pull tug named ‘Ocean Grace’ and the Medical Mobile Unit (MMU).

About the Newly Made in India ASTDS Tug:

• 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. 
• Many even have fire suppression and other systems to help the larger ships.
• The first Approved Standard Tug Design and Specifications (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).
• Very large crude carriers (VLCC), first developed in the 1960s, have a capacity of over 200,000 DWT and can carry two million barrels of oil. 
• Ultra-large crude carriers (ULCC) can carry in excess of 320,000 DWT, roughly three million barrels of oil.

About the Medical Mobile Unit (MMU):

• It is part of the port’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment.
• Staffed with skilled medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, technicians, and pharmacists, the MMU offers various services like maternal and paediatric care, disease management, and health awareness programs.
• Its mobility ensures healthcare reaches those in need across Paradip and its surrounding areas.

About the Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP):

• The MoPSW launched the ‘Green Tug Transition Programme’ (GTTP) that will convert all tugboats working in the country into ‘Green Hybrid Tugs’, running on non-fossil fuel like Methanol, Ammonia, and Hydrogen.

• • GTTP will first convert tugs into green hybrid tugs powered by hybrid propulsion systems and subsequently adopt non-fossil fuel solutions.
  • The plan is to make India the ‘Global hub for building Green Ships’ by 2030.
• The ministry has set a target for the initial green tugs to start working in all major ports by 2025.
  • At least 50% of all the tugs are likely to be converted into green tugs by 2030, which will considerably reduce emissions as the country moves towards achieving sustainable development.
  • With these initiatives, the Centre aims to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems from pollution, conservation & sustainable use of ocean-based resources.
• Under the GTTP, India’s first Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) resulted from a collaboration between the MoPSW, GoI and the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the NCoEGPS will act as the Nodal entity for the industry for building green ships.