Five new tugs enter service in Durban

Strengthening port operations

SOUTH AFRICA: Five new tugboats were integrated into commercial shipping operations this week at the Port of Durban as Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) officially launched and christened the new acquisitions.

The launch of the vessels comes shortly after the christening of a further two workboats for the Port of Cape Town last week. In addition, a further two tugs will be unveiled next month at a launch ceremony scheduled to be held in East London where they will take up service.

This brings TNPA’s tugboat complement to a total of 38 across its eight commercial seaports, with the Port of Durban boasting the highest number of 14 tugs.

Delivering the keynote address at the christening ceremony at the Port of Durban, Transnet Board Chairperson, Andile Sangqu highlighted the significance of investing in marine assets: “The procurement of this fleet demonstrates Transnet’s commitment to fully realising the Recovery Plan. We are now approaching 12 months of the 18-month cycle and can see improvement in the agility of executing strategic projects, which will enhance the organisation's competitiveness. Meeting the objectives of the Marine Fleet Renewal Programme coupled with a skilled workforce will catapult our responsiveness to meeting global shipping demands.”

As the busiest port in sub-Saharan Africa, the additional fleet will enable the Port of Durban’s readiness to respond with on-demand craft in the safe navigation of vessels within the port.

With a bollard-pull of 60 tonnes, the tugs delivered by Damen Shipyards Cape Town feature the latest hull design and propulsion system consisting of diesel engines fitted with Azimuth Stern

Drive. These comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s Tier III environmental standards. This makes the tugs fully capable of handling larger vessels that call at South Africa’s premier container port.