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.
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- 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.