Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Limited (KMEW) (BSE: 543273 | NSE: KMEW) has announced a major milestone with the receipt of its maiden Letter of Intent (LOI) from V. O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA). The contract is for hiring one 60-ton bollard pull capacity Battery Operated Electric Green Tug under the Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP), along with manning, operations, maintenance, and full technical management at VOCPA.
The LOI is valued at ₹385.76 crore (including taxes) and spans a long tenure of 15 years, marking one of the most significant and long-term contracts awarded to KMEW in the past decade.
This project places KMEW among the select Indian companies leading the deployment of GTTP-compliant electric tugs, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and operational excellence. The 60-ton Green Tug will be designed and built entirely in-house, showcasing KMEW’s strong engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
The achievement follows KMEW’s earlier success at VOCPA with a conventional 60T Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) Tug, highlighting its growing presence in southern India and its ability to deliver a diverse range of specialized port and marine services.
The initiative aligns with India’s Maritime India Vision 2030, which aims for a 30% reduction in carbon emissions per ton of cargo handled and encourages the adoption of zero-emission technologies across major ports. Under the GTTP, ports are transitioning towards cleaner, battery-powered tugs — a move that supports the nation’s broader climate and sustainability goals.
