2 hrs ago
HSL Lays Keel for Second 60-Tonne Port Tug
Hindustan Shipyard Limited is building two powerful tugboats for Visakhapatnam Port Authority.
A tugboat helps larger ships move safely in and out of a port.
The keel, which is an important part of a ship’s base, was laid for the second tug.
The first tug is already more than 60% finished.
Both tugboats are expected to float out together in October.
Officials said the vessels should make berthing safer and help ships spend less time at the port.
HSL has built 13 vessels for VPA since 1970.
The organizations are also considering an electric tug and other future maritime projects.
Hindustan Shipyard Limited laid the keel for its second 60-tonne bollard-pull tug for Visakhapatnam Port Authority.
The contract was signed in December 2025, and the tug is being built to Indian Register of Shipping class.
The sister tug is more than 60% complete, with both vessels scheduled to float out together in October.
Visakhapatnam Port Authority said the tugs will improve safe berthing and reduce port turnaround time.
HSL and VPA are also discussing an electric tug, green-fleet conversion, ship repairs and a future shipbuilding complex.
- Who
- Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam Port Authority, Indian Register of Shipping and Solas Marine; VPA chairperson Jasmeet Singh Bindra attended the ceremony.
- What
- HSL laid the keel for the second 60-tonne bollard-pull tug being built for VPA.
- Where
- Visakhapatnam, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited.
- When
- The keel-laying ceremony took place on Friday; both tugs are scheduled to float out in October.
- Why
- The tugs are intended to strengthen safe berthing and reduce turnaround time at the port.
Key facts
- Builder
- Hindustan Shipyard Limited
- Client
- Visakhapatnam Port Authority
- Tug capacity
- 60-tonne bollard pull
- Classification
- Indian Register of Shipping class
- Sister tug progress
- More than 60% complete
- Planned float-out
- Both vessels are scheduled to float out together in October
- HSL-VPA history
- The second tug is HSL’s 13th vessel for VPA since the launch of Shanti in 1970
Sources
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