Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Limited has received a major work order from Mumbai Port Authority. The company has secured its third Green Tug contract valued at Rs 279.33 Crore including GST for chartering of 1 No. 60 Ton Bollard Pull Capacity New Battery Operated Electric Green Tug.
Key Highlights of the New Order Win
Third Green Tug Contract from Major Ports
This is the third Green Tug contract secured by the company from Major Ports within a relatively short period. The contract involves construction and hiring of a battery-operated Green Tug for a tenure of 15 years along with manning, operations, maintenance and complete technical management.
Order Value and Timeline
The work order is valued at Rs 279.33 Crore including GST. The company received the formal communication on September 19, 2026. The work order is for a long-term period of 15 years which provides strong revenue visibility.
Building a Scalable Green Maritime Platform
Common Shipbuilding Platform Strategy
The company informed that this latest order will be supported through its subsidiary, Knowledge Shipyard Limited. The subsidiary is already undertaking construction of the company's other Green Initiatives. The simultaneous construction of multiple Green Tugs at a common shipbuilding platform will provide an opportunity to develop greater standardisation, repeatability and execution efficiencies.
Integrated Lifecycle Approach
The company intends to leverage its integrated capabilities across shipbuilding, marine operations and asset management throughout the lifecycle of these vessels. This includes everything from construction and commissioning to operations and maintenance. This integrated approach is expected to create a scalable platform as it expands beyond dredging and marine services into specialised shipbuilding.
From Dredging to Next-Generation Marine Infrastructure
The Green Tug business represents an important extension of the company's existing marine capabilities. Over the years, the company has developed experience in operating and managing a diversified fleet of specialised marine assets across dredging, port operations and allied marine services.
The company is progressively building an integrated marine platform spanning Dredging to Marine Assets to Green Vessels to Indigenous Shipbuilding to Lifecycle Marine Infrastructure. This development is intended to strengthen its participation in India's evolving maritime infrastructure ecosystem.
Supporting India's Green Maritime Vision
Government's Green Tug Transition Programme
The Green Tug Transition Programme was announced on 22 May 2023 as part of Government of India's broader maritime sustainability initiatives under Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. The programme seeks to accelerate transition of harbour tugs from conventional fossil-fuel-powered vessels towards cleaner and more sustainable alternatives.
Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat Push
The company believes that building these technologically advanced vessels in India can contribute to broader objectives of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. It will also support development of India's domestic shipbuilding ecosystem. With multiple Green Tugs being developed on a common platform, the company intends to build institutional knowledge and technical capabilities that can be leveraged for future specialised marine asset programmes.
Management Commentary
Mr. Sujay Kewalramani, CEO of Knowledge Marine & Engineering Works Limited said, "We are delighted to announce our third Green Tug contract with this Rs 279.33 crore order from Mumbai Port Authority. Securing three Green Tug contracts from Major Ports reflects the confidence placed in our technical capabilities, execution strength and our long-term vision for sustainable maritime infrastructure."
He further added, "This order is particularly significant as we intend to construct this vessel alongside our other two Green Tugs at our shipbuilding platform. Having multiple vessels under construction simultaneously will allow us to develop greater standardisation, strengthen execution capabilities and build deeper technical expertise. Our objective is not merely to construct individual vessels, but to develop a scalable capability around next-generation marine assets."
Why This Order is Important
- Long Tenure: 15-year contract ensures long-term revenue visibility and operational commitment.
- Green Leadership: Third Green Tug win establishes company as early leader in India's Green Tug segment.
- Execution Efficiency: Building three Green Tugs on same platform improves standardisation and reduces cost.
- Future Platform: Builds capabilities for specialised marine assets beyond conventional dredging.