Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 07 November 2024
In a major development for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ port operations, the long-awaited repair and reactivation of the Tug M.T. Andaman were achieved far ahead of schedule. During the Port User meeting held on October 17, 2024, Secretary (Shipping) acknowledged concerns over the lack of an operational tug under the Port Management Board (PMB), and she pledged the administration’s commitment to resolving this issue promptly.
The tug had been out of service since December 2022. The situation was reviewed and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) estimated that it would take 240 days to arrange for critical spare parts and to complete the maintenance of the Tug. However, through coordinated efforts led by Secretary (Shipping) and innovative strategies by the PMB, the repair timeline was reduced to an impressive 45 days. The dedicated work of PMB and Department of Shipping Services (DSS) officials, combined with close collaboration with the CSL team, enabled the tug to undergo successful basin trials on November 6, 2024.
The trials demonstrated the tug’s operational capabilities, achieving its desired efficiency level. During the test, the Tug M.T. Andaman was successfully deployed for tugging operations involving M.V. Campbell Bay at Hope Town Jetty, with Secretary (Shipping) present onboard to witness the progress.
To ensure readiness for future operations, the tug will undergo further trials to identify and resolve any remaining issues. Once these trials are complete, the vessel will resume full port operations at Sri Vijaya Puram Port. The administration also plans to initiate classification procedures for the tug, which will allow it to be utilised at any designated port in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, enhancing port functionality across the region.