Green Tug Transition Programme [UPSC Notes]

In March 2023, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways launched the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP). Know more about this initiative of the GOI in this article. This is an important topic for GS Paper II of the UPSC Syllabus.

Green Tug Transition Programme

A tug or a tugboat is a boat that aids in the mooring or berthing operation of a ship by towing or pushing the vessel towards the port. Under the Green Tug Transition Programme, the tugboats used in ports would be converted to ‘green tugs’ that run on non-fossil fuels such as methanol, hydrogen or ammonia.

Aim of GTTP: To become a ‘Global Hub for Green Ship’ building by 2030 and reduce emissions as the country moves towards achieving sustainable development.

More on the development:

• The first National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) in Gurugram, Haryana was inaugurated.
• The programme will start with ‘Green Hybrid Tugs’, powered by Green Hybrid Propulsion systems.
• Eventually, non-fossil fuel solutions like Methanol, Ammonia, Hydrogen etc. would be adopted.
• At least half of all the tugs are to be converted into Green Tugs by 2030.

Green Tug Transition Programme Significance

• It will help in achieving multiple objectives such as ‘make in India’, greater business opportunities to become carbon neutral by 2070 and a greener environment.
• It will also help in achieving the UN’s SDG 14 to sustainably manage and protect marine & coastal ecosystems from pollution, conservation & sustainable use of ocean based resources.

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