Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) is improving its fleet with new 60-ton BP tugs being built by the miniratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL). These tugs will help run the port smoothly and safely, and make it easier to manage ships and respond to emergencies. Here’s a simple look at why tugs are so important for ports and how the new ones will benefit VPA.
What Are Tugs?
Tugs are powerful boats used to help larger ships move in and out of crowded port areas. They are also essential because big ships can have difficulty navigating narrow or busy spaces on their own. Tugs help guide ships safely to and from docks. They can also be used for assistance in emergencies when a ship is in trouble.
Why Are Tugs Important?
- Assist in Ship Movement: Large ships require tug assistance when moving through a tight area like a narrow channel within the port, in order to avoid an accident.
- Facilitate Fast Turnaround: Tugs assist ships in docking and undocking faster. This increases the port’s efficiency and enables it to handle more ships within a shorter period.
- Provide Assistance in Emergencies: When a ship encounters problems of a mechanical nature or adverse weather conditions, tugs assist in relocating the ship to a safe location.
- Facilitate Growth: With the rise in the number of ships passing through the port, having sufficient tug boats is essential in accommodating the growing number of ships.
How Will the New 60T BP Tugs Help VPA?
HSL is also constructing two new 60-ton BP tugs for VPA, with the second one already under construction. The steel cutting for the second tug began only last. The contract for the construction of the second 60T BP Tug was signed on 22 December 2025. It was in less than two months that steel cutting commenced, demonstrating HSL’s speed of execution and project preparedness.
Here’s how these new tugs will impact the situation:
- Easy to Maneuver: The new 32-meter tugs are highly maneuverable. This means that they can assist in moving even the largest ships quickly and safely.
- Better Escorting: The tugs are meant to escort large ships through difficult port routes, helping them navigate through.
- Faster Operations: With the new tugs, ships will be able to dock and depart faster by preventing congestion and increasing the port’s capacity to handle more traffic.
- Ready for Emergencies: The new tugs are also capable of assisting in emergency situations while ensuring the port is ready to act quickly in case of an emergency.
Why Does This Matter for India?
The new tugs are a part of India’s larger plans to develop its ports and meet the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Through the development of its ports, India looks to increase trade and enhance the efficiency of its maritime activities.
Visakhapatnam Port is an important part of this plan and the new tugs will help the port stay competitive while being able to handle more ships as global trade continues to grow.
Even though tugs seem like small players, they are essential for keeping ports safe and efficient. With the addition of new 60T BP tugs, VPA will be better equipped to manage busy port traffic and respond to emergencies.