Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) has announced the acquisition of eight advanced harbour tugs, all set to be built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
Valued at an estimated Rs 450 crore, the contract will see the delivery of these tugs commencing in December 2026 and concluding by May 2028, significantly enhancing the efficiency and safety of vessel operations at Indian ports.
APSEZ stated that this initiative supports the government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ programmes by promoting domestic manufacturing and strengthening self-reliance in the maritime sector.
The addition of eight 70-tonne bollard pull tugs will bring Adani’s fleet to a total of 152.
Ashwani Gupta, Whole-time Director and CEO of APSEZ, remarked, “This partnership with Cochin Shipyard Ltd reflects our dedication to advancing maritime infrastructure in India and underscores our trust in the nation’s public sector undertakings (PSUs).”
He further stated, “By harnessing world-class local manufacturing capabilities, we aim to support the ‘Make in India’ initiative while ensuring our operations adhere to international standards of safety and efficiency.”
Earlier, APSEZ had contracted Cochin Shipyard Ltd for the construction of two 62-tonne bollard pull ASD (Azimuthing Stern Drive) tugs for Ocean Sparkle Ltd. Both tugs were delivered ahead of schedule and deployed at Paradeep Port and New Mangalore Port.
The construction of three additional ASD tugs is currently underway, bringing the total order to 13 tugs, aimed at creating a younger fleet for efficient and reliable services in the port sector.
This initiative highlights the importance of sustainable practices in shipbuilding and reinforces the strategic role of the maritime industry in driving India’s economic growth.
APSEZ, a part of the Adani Group, has evolved from a port company into an integrated transport utility, offering end-to-end solutions from its port gates to the customer gates.
It is the largest port developer and operator in India, with strategically located ports and terminals.
The company is also developing a transhipment port in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and operates the Haifa Port in Israel and Container Terminal 2 at Dar es Salaam Port, Tanzania.