Four new tugboats enter service

SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has taken delivery of the first four tugboats to boost marine fleet availability and shipping efficiencies at the ports of Durban and East London.

The fleet will undergo various technical tests over the next three weeks at the Port of Durban’s drydock and, upon completion, TNPA will hold a ceremony to launch, name and christen the vessels.

The arrival of the tugboats is part of TNPA’s marine fleet renewal programme, which entails replacing marine fleet with the latest technology to extend the lifespan of marine assets.

This delivery is part of TNPA’s R1 billion investment in acquiring seven tugboats. These tugs will replace marine craft that has reached its operational lifespan. With the latest delivery, the Port of Durban has been allocated two tugs with the Port of East London receiving the other two.

The tugboats, built by Damen Shipyards Cape Town, have a 60-ton bollard pull, which is an improvement from the current 32 and 40-ton bollard pull capacity of the existing tugboats.

The phased delivery of the remaining three tugs will be completed by August 2024.

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