Port Blair: In a boost to its operational capabilities, the Indian Navy inducted two 25-tonne Bollard Pull (BP) Tugs, Bhishm and Bahubali, in a ceremony held at Naval Ship Repair Yard (NSRY), Shakti Vihar Port Blair (SVP), on November 28, 2024. Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman & Nicobar Command, presided over the event, marking a significant step towards strengthening naval logistics and support infrastructure.
The induction of these state-of-the-art tugs is the result of a contract signed on November 12, 2021, with M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), Kolkata, for the construction and delivery of six such tugs. Designed indigenously in collaboration with an Indian ship design firm, these vessels adhere to the Naval Rules and Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The project is a testament to the success of the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, highlighting India’s capabilities in advanced maritime manufacturing.
The 25T BP Tugs are engineered to perform a wide range of critical tasks, including:
- Ship and Submarine Support: Assisting Indian Navy ships and submarines during berthing, un-berthing, turning, and manoeuvring in confined waters.
- Fire-Fighting Assistance: Providing afloat fire-fighting support to vessels alongside berths or at anchorage.
- Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations: Equipped for conducting limited SAR operations, enhancing the Navy’s emergency response capabilities.
These multi-functional tugs will play a pivotal role in ensuring smooth naval operations, particularly in the strategic and sensitive waters around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Speaking at the ceremony, Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan lauded the indigenization efforts that led to the development of these tugs. He emphasized their importance in enhancing operational efficiency and underlined the Navy’s commitment to fostering domestic manufacturing under the government’s vision of self-reliance.
