The Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification society has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SeaTech Solutions International (SSI), a Singapore-based maritime engineering and design firm, to design and classify next-generation green tugs and harbor crafts.
Green tug design and classification
SeaTech will spearhead the design and engineering of green tugs and harbor crafts, incorporating eco-friendly technologies to meet international benchmarks for sustainability and efficiency. These designs will be reviewed and receive approval in principle by IRS both for local and international shipping demands.
This MOU will be carried out in alignment with the Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) and the “Harit Nauka – Green Transition Guidelines” for inland vessels as laid out by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India. SeaTech will develop designs that comply with these guidelines, and IRS will class these vessels, ensuring they meet stringent regulatory and environmental standards. This collaboration will also include the retrofitting of inland vessels to align with green transition goals.
As part of the agreement, IRS will conduct an engineering review of the design for compliance with IRS rules and other applicable international regulatory standards.
Future green shipping
In addition to the design technical collaboration, IRS and SeaTech will launch joint training programs, aimed at enhancing skill sets and knowledge across the maritime industry. IRS will also provide specialized plan approval training to SeaTech’s engineers, further bolstering their technical competencies.
The MOU also outlines a framework for collaborative research and industry projects that will focus on addressing challenges in the maritime sector, including decarbonization, alternative fuels and vessel efficiency.
P K Mishra, managing director of IRS, stated, “This MOU is a testament to our ongoing commitment to fostering international cooperation and driving sustainable maritime practices. SeaTech’s expertise in maritime design, combined with IRS’s technical rigor, will play a key role in shaping the future of green shipping worldwide.”
G S Chopra, managing director of SeaTech, said, “We are delighted to join hands with IRS in working toward navigating to a green and sustainable future through green-tech solutions for shipping.”
In related news, the Panama Canal Authority recently ordered 10 hybrid tractor tugboats from European shipbuilder Astilleros Armón, with options for another 10 similar vessels. Click here to read the full story.
