Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) is set to significantly bolster India's maritime capabilities with its latest move, having placed an order for eight advanced harbour tugs from Cochin Shipyard Ltd., valued at approximately Rs 450 crore. This initiative aligns tightly with the government's Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, aiming to boost local manufacturing and self-reliance within the maritime sector.
The order, announced recently, signifies not only the expansion of Adani Ports' fleet but also reflects the company's commitment to enhancing maritime infrastructure across India. According to Ashwani Gupta, the Whole-time Director & CEO of APSEZ, "This collaboration with Cochin Shipyard Ltd mirrors our dedication to improving India’s maritime infrastructure and showcases our trust in our nation's Public Sector Units (PSUs)." He elaborated, "By leveraging local manufacturing capabilities, which are world-class, we aim to contribute to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, all the whilst ensuring our operations conform to international standards of safety and efficiency."
These tugs will feature 70-tonne bollard pull and are expected to start delivery between December 2026 and May 2028. This order brings Adani's total tugboat fleet to 153, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and safety for vessel operations across Indian ports.
Previously, APSEZ contracted Cochin Shipyard for constructing two 62-tonne bollard pull Azimuthing Stern Drive (ASD) tugs for Ocean Sparkle Ltd, both of which were delivered well ahead of schedule and are now operational at Paradeep Port and New Mangalore Port. With three additional ASD tugs currently under construction, the total commitment to Cochin Shipyard now stands at 13 tugs.
Notably, the significant investment by Adani Ports reflects the strategic importance of the maritime domain within India’s economic framework. The maritime sector is increasingly recognized as pivotal to trade and infrastructure, making these tugs not just vessels but key contributors to national economic growth. "This initiative reinforces the strategic significance of the maritime industry to India’s economic growth," APSEZ stated, emphasizing the broader impact of investing in such infrastructure.
Cochin Shipyard Ltd plays a significant role as one of India's leading shipbuilders. The anticipated project would see these tugs constructed following advanced designs, aligning with the approved standard tug specifications aimed at enhancing environmental sustainability and operational efficacy.
With this order, Adani Ports exemplifies how leveraging domestic manufacturing can yield significant enhancements to operational capabilities. The company stands as India's largest private port operator and is integral to the Adani Group narrative, with operations spanning across 13 strategically located ports and terminals throughout the country.
The commitment to sustainable practices is as strong as the push for modernization. Adani Ports aims to comply with the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP) by introducing technologically advanced and environmentally friendly tugs. "CSL and Udupi-CSL have set benchmarks for delivery timelines and the quality of tugs being constructed, reflecting our dedication to transforming the industry," stated Madhu S. Nair, Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard.
The successful execution of this order will not only catalyze the maritime infrastructure improvement but also contribute positively to job creation and economic sustenance within the shipbuilding sector. Senior market analysts suggest this could also bolster the stock performance of both Adani Ports and Cochin Shipyard as confidence builds around their collaborative efforts.
With projected deliveries stretching over the next few years, the impact of this partnership will be monitored closely by industry stakeholders as it aims to set new industry standards and expectations for Indian shipbuilding ventures.
