Maritime News, Cochin, India / Copenhagen, Denmark : Strengthening India’s emergence as a hub for advanced green shipbuilding, Svitzer, one of the world’s leading towage and marine service providers, has signed a shipbuilding agreement with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for four 26-metre battery-electric TRAnsverse 2600e tugs, each engineered to deliver a powerful 70-tonne bollard pull. The contract carries options for up to four additional vessels.
The agreement formalises the Letter of Intent signed during India Maritime Week 2025, marking a transition from intent to a firm newbuild programme under the Government’s Make in India initiative.
High-Performance Electric Tugboats for Global Operations
Under the contract, CSL will construct at least four 70-tonne bollard-pull TRAnsverse 2600e tugs at its Cochin shipyard, built to Svitzer’s technical specifications. The vessels will support Svitzer’s global fleet renewal, with expected deployment across Northern Europe, South America, and Australia, while also opening the door for future deployment in Indian ports as green-harbour operations expand.
The TRAnsverse 2600e is the electric evolution of Svitzer’s patented next-generation TRAnsverse tug design — often described as the “Swiss Army Knife” of harbour towage — engineered for complex, close-quarter manoeuvres and high-capacity ship handling.
Key specifications include:
- 70-tonne bollard pull
- 26-metre overall length
- Battery-electric propulsion
- Omni-directional thrust and in-line propulsion
- Double-ended hull with Svitzer’s patented tow staple
These features collectively expand the tug’s dynamic operating envelope by up to 50%, while enabling zero direct emissions during harbour operations when powered by renewable energy.
Svitzer: Strengthening Make in India and Green Towage
Kasper Karlsen, Chief Operating Officer, Svitzer, emphasised the strategic importance of the agreement:
“This contract with Cochin Shipyard for our next series of electric TRAnsverse tugs reflects our commitment to Make in India and to support port and terminal operations in their green transition and decarbonisation objectives.
India has strong shipbuilding capabilities and a highly skilled workforce. Through this collaboration with CSL, we are helping to build capacity for world-class, low- and zero-emission tug construction in India.”
Karlsen added that the TRAnsverse 2600e builds on Svitzer’s wider newbuild programme and supports India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 “in a very practical way.”
CSL: Expanding Into Advanced Electric Tug Construction
Dr. Harikrishnan S, Operations Director, CSL, highlighted the significance of the partnership:
“We look forward to delivering the next generation of tug, the TRAnsverse 2600e, drawing on CSL’s skilled workforce and our track record in complex, high-spec vessels.
This agreement expands our capabilities into advanced tug design and the industrialisation of battery-electric and future-fuel-ready technologies in India.”
He added that the programme will enhance CSL’s expertise in electric propulsion, precision manoeuvring systems and integrated digital solutions, while also supporting India’s broader goals of maritime decarbonisation.
Build Programme and Delivery Timeline
- Firm order: 4 × TRAnsverse 2600e electric tugs
- Bollard pull: 70 tonnes
- Options: Up to 4 additional vessels
- Builder: Cochin Shipyard Limited
- Operator: Svitzer
- Expected deployment: Northern Europe, South America, Australia
- Construction start: In the coming months
- First delivery: No earlier than late 2027 / early 2028
Additional vessels may be ordered based on Svitzer’s global fleet renewal roadmap and customer requirements.
About Svitzer
Founded in 1833, Svitzer operates a fleet of around 450 vessels, providing towage and marine services across 140 ports and 40 terminals in 37 countries, serving nearly 2,000 customers worldwide.
About Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL)
Established in 1972, CSL is India’s largest public-sector shipyard, capable of building vessels up to 110,000 DWT and repairing ships up to 125,000 DWT. The shipyard has delivered India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier and several high-performance commercial vessels.
