V.O.C. Port welcomes new 60-tonne bollard pull tug M.T. Ocean Alliance to strengthen port operations

The newly inducted 60 tonnes Bollard Pull (BP) tug ‘M.T. Ocean Alliance’ arrived at V.O.C Port and the port authority welcomed the maiden call of the bollard pull tug in the presence of Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson and Rajesh Soundararajan, deputy chairperson.

The new Indian built tug, constructed by Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited, possess a bollard pull capacity of 60 tonnes and a gross tonnage of 498 GT. The tug has been designed in compliance with the approved standard tug designs and specifications. This induction aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and Make in India initiatives of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, reinforcing its commitment to self-reliance in maritime infrastructure.

The tug has been contracted to M/s Ocean Sparkle Limited and will be rented by V.O.C. Port Authority for a period of seven years. With this new addition, the port’s tug fleet now comprises four tugs-one port owned with 45 tonnes BP, two hired 50 tonnes BP and newly inducted 60 tonnes BP.

According to Mr. Purohit, “The induction of ‘M.T. Ocean Alliance’ will significantly enhance operational efficiency, ensure safe berthing, unberth of large vessels and reduce vessel turnaround time. This is a major step towards strengthening port capabilities and supporting India’s maritime growth.”