First order for eight vessels finalized! Danish giant commissions all-electric tugboats.

Recently, Danish tugboat operator Svitzer officially signed a contract with India’s Cochin Shipyard for the supply of 4+4 all-electric TRAnsverse 2600e tugboats powered by batteries.

This marks the first time Svitzer has placed a bulk order for its next-generation TRAnsverse series tugboats in India. According to the contract, the first four vessels are scheduled to begin construction in the third quarter of 2026, with delivery of the lead vessel set for late 2027 or early 2028. The specific schedule will depend on the detailed design, shipyard scheduling, and regulatory approval processes. Whether additional vessels will be built in the future will hinge on Svitzer’s fleet renewal needs and market demand from its customers.

This all-electric tugboat series, with a total length of 26 meters, will be built according to Svitzer’s technical specifications and will support Svitzer’s global fleet renewal program. The TRAnsverse design is positioned as a multi-purpose tugboat capable of operating in complex port environments and is regarded as one of the most efficient towing platforms worldwide.

Svitzer stated that this collaboration leverages the shipbuilding expertise of Cochin Shipyard and aligns closely with India’s strategic goals of becoming a global maritime manufacturing hub under the “Maritime India Vision 2030,” the “Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047,” and the “Make in India” initiative.

The agreement also paves the way for the future deployment of this type of vessel at Indian ports and terminals. It is understood that the TRAnsverse 2600e is the all-electric version of Svitzer’s latest-generation tugboat series, which can achieve zero direct emissions when operated using green shore power during port operations. Its patented bollard arrangement, twin-hull design, and tandem all-directional propulsion system can enhance the vessel’s dynamic operational capabilities by up to 50%.

Kasper Karlsen, Svitzer’s Chief Operating Officer, stated: “This contract for a new series of electric tugboats signed with Cochin Shipyard underscores our commitment to ‘Make in India’ and demonstrates our unwavering dedication to supporting ports and terminals in achieving their green transformation and decarbonization goals. India boasts robust shipbuilding capabilities and a highly skilled workforce. Through our collaboration with Cochin Shipyard, we are not only investing in the construction of an advanced fleet of tugboats for our own operations but also helping India build world-class capacity for constructing low-emission and zero-emission tugboats. This highlights our confidence in India’s existing strengths and its maritime vision.”

Madhu S Nair of Cochin Shipyard stated: “We look forward to delivering the next-generation TRAnsverse 2600e tugboat. This project leverages Cochin Shipyard’s highly skilled workforce and our extensive experience in the design and construction of complex, high-specification vessels. This agreement marks a natural expansion of our capabilities into the advanced field of tugboat design, as well as the industrial-scale adoption in India of battery-electric propulsion technologies and future-oriented fuel technologies. The project will further deepen our specialized expertise in electric propulsion systems, high-precision maneuvering systems, and integrated digital solutions for port terminals, while also creating growth opportunities for our engineers, designers, and local supply chain partners. As a government-owned enterprise in India, we remain fully committed to implementing the ‘Make in India’ initiative and accelerating the decarbonization of maritime transport. In partnership with Svitzer, our goal is to deliver world-class assets with exceptional decarbonization credentials to ports across India and around the globe.”

It is understood that Svitzer is a globally leading provider of tugboat and maritime services, operating a fleet of over 450 tugboats and serving approximately 2,000 customers across 141 ports and 40 terminals in 37 countries and regions worldwide. In the first half of last year, Svitzer was spun off from Maersk, Denmark’s shipping and logistics giant, and merged into a new company called Svitzer Group A/S.

The Cochin Shipyard is India’s largest state-owned shipbuilding and repair facility, and a pioneer in India’s high-tech, green shipbuilding industry. In recent years, the Cochin Shipyard has been focusing on the development of alternative-fuel vessels, including hydrogen fuel cell ferries and ammonia-powered ships. According to Clarkson’s data, the Cochin Shipyard currently has an order book totaling 16 vessels with a combined deadweight tonnage of 94,700 tons, with delivery schedules extending through 2026. Among these orders, seven vessels feature battery-hybrid propulsion systems, including two 730-TEU container ships, two crew supply vessels (CSOVs) for wind farm commissioning and operation, two service operation vessels (SOVs), and one general cargo ship.