Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP)

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 Context

• Union Minister of Port Shipping and Waterways, officially launched the SOP for Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) today in New Delhi.

Details

• This landmark initiative aims to transition from conventional fuel-based harbour tugs to greener, more sustainable alternatives.
• It marks a major step in India's commitment to environmental sustainability and the advancement of its maritime sector.

GTTP

• The GTTP is a key initiative under the ‘Panch Karma Sankalp’.
• Announced on May 22, 2023, this program seeks to decarbonize maritime operations in India.
• The program will phase out conventional fuel-based harbour tugs and replace them with green tugs powered by cleaner fuels.

Phase 1 Details

• Phase 1 of the GTTP will commence on October 1, 2024, and run until December 31, 2027. During this phase, four Major Ports—Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority, Paradip Port Authority, and O. Chidambaranar Port Authority—will procure or charter at least two green tugs each.
• These tugs will follow standardized designs issued by the Standing Specification Committee (SSC).
• An investment of approximately INR 1000 Crores is anticipated for building these tugs. The initial tugs will be battery-electric, with future provisions for adopting technologies like hybrid, methanol, and green hydrogen.

Sustainable and Green Maritime Sector

• The GTTP is a pivotal initiative towards realizing our vision of a sustainable and green maritime sector in India.
• This program aligns with our environmental goals.

Domestic Industry Impact

• The GTTP will significantly boost the domestic tug industry.
• All tugs built under this program will be constructed in Indian shipyards as part of the ‘Make in India’
• It is expected to create substantial employment opportunities in shipbuilding and ship design.

Future Goals

• By 2040, all tugs operating in Indian Major Ports are expected to transition to green tugs.
• After 2033, any new tug built in India for use in Indian ports will need to comply with the ASTDS-GTTP standards.

Maritime Vision 2030

• The Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030), launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2020, outlines strategies to enhance India’s maritime sector.
• It aims to make India a global leader in safety, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.
• The vision includes targets such as sourcing 60% of each major port’s power demand from renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions by 30% per ton of cargo by 2030.
• The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, introduced in 2023, aims for a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from port vessels by 2030.
• Harbor tugs are ideal candidates for green technologies, such as electric propulsion and alternative fuels, to cut emissions while maintaining operational efficiency.

Conclusion

• The GTTP demonstrates the Government's broader commitment to sustainability and innovation in the maritime sector, paving the way for a cleaner, greener future for India’s ports and maritime operations.

READ ABOUT MARITIME VISION OF 2030: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/maritime-india-vision-2030

MUST READ ARTICLE ON INDIA’S MARITIME, PORT AND SHIPPING SECTOR:  https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/indias-ports-and-shipping#:~:text=India's%20maritime%20industry%20still%20punches,less%20than%20Singapore%20(4.5%25).shipping#:~:text=The%20government%20has%20also%20outlined,prominent%20on%20global%20shipping%20routes.

INDIA'S PORT DEVELOPMENT: ACHIEVING GLOBAL RECOGNITION: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/indias-port-development-achieving-global-recognition

MAJOR SEAPORTS IN INDIA: https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/major-sea-ports-in-india

INDIA’S PORTS AND SHIPPING: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/indias-ports-and-shipping

OTHER MUST-READ ARTICLES

NATIONAL LOGISTICS POLICY: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/national-logistics-policy

SAGARMALA PROJECT: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/sagarmala-project-17#:~:text=Under%20the%20Sagarmala%20Programme%2C%20the,and%20more%20under%20their%20governance.

MAJOR PORTS IN INDIA: https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/major-sea-ports-in-india 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Discuss the objectives and key components of the Maritime India Vision 2030. How does this vision aim to transform India's maritime sector, and what are the potential challenges and opportunities associated with its implementation?

SOURCE: PIB