MUMBAI: Global towage specialist Svitzer has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) to develop and construct next-generation electric “TRAnsverse” tugboats in India.
The agreement, inked during India Maritime Week in Mumbai, marks a key milestone in Svitzer’s electrification roadmap and underscores India’s growing role as a global maritime manufacturing hub.
Under the LoI, Svitzer and Cochin Shipyard will collaborate on plans to build electric TRAnsverse tugboats at CSL’s yard facilities in Kochi.
The initiative aligns with Svitzer’s global decarbonisation strategy and India’s Maritime Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, aimed at promoting green ports and sustainable marine infrastructure.
The TRAnsverse design, known for exceptional manoeuvrability and energy efficiency, allows precise control in confined port waters while significantly reducing fuel use and emissions.
The agreement, though at an intent stage, signals Svitzer’s long-term commitment to “Make in India” by leveraging CSL’s proven shipbuilding capabilities, India’s engineering talent and its expanding green maritime ecosystem.
For CSL, the partnership strengthens its entry into the electric and hybrid vessel segment, a key growth area as global shipping transitions toward low-carbon operations.
This is not CSL’s first foray into sustainable shipbuilding. The company has already secured multiple international contracts for hybrid and green vessels. It is currently building a hybrid Service Operation Vessel for UK-based North Star Shipping to support the East Anglia Three offshore wind farm project.
The yard has also received repeat orders from Polestar Maritime Ltd for two 70-tonne bollard-pull tugs to be built jointly with its subsidiary, Udupi CSL. Earlier this year, CSL also bagged a Rs200-crore repair contract from ONGC for a jack-up rig.
CSL order book
As of the first quarter of FY26, CSL reported an order book of around Rs21,100 crore, supported by a robust project pipeline of about Rs2.85 lakh crore. Defence contracts account for nearly two-thirds of the order book, while export and commercial shipbuilding contribute about 20 per cent, domestic commercial orders roughly 8 per cent, and ship repair 7 per cent.
The company’s all-time high order book covers about 65 ships, including naval vessels, coastal craft for European clients, and green-energy ships powered by methanol and hydrogen.
The partnership with Svitzer, a subsidiary of A.P. Moller–Maersk, provides CSL with an opportunity to position India as a manufacturing base for advanced electric tugboats to serve both domestic and global markets.
For Svitzer, the collaboration offers a cost-efficient, high-quality build location for its next phase of fleet renewal.
Svitzer CEO Kasper Nilaus said the collaboration represents a decisive step in its electrification journey and a strong alignment with India’s maritime vision. CSL Chairman and Managing Director Madhu S. Nair said the partnership would highlight the shipyard’s world-class capabilities and deepen local supply chains in green shipbuilding.
While the LoI is not yet a firm order, it is seen as a precursor to future commercial contracts that could open a new line of business for CSL in the electric vessel segment. With one of the largest order pipelines in its history and increasing traction from global clients, CSL is poised to play a leading role in India’s emergence as a hub for sustainable maritime manufacturing
