Transnet National Ports Authority has introduced five new tugboats to boost shipping efficiencies in Durban, one of the country’s busiest ports. Pictures: Gcina Ndwalane/Supplied
The Transnet National Ports Authority added five new tugboats to its fleet on Thursday in a move towards accelerating their implementation of a R1 billion investment towards a reliable marine fleet.
While the Durban port received five tugboats, two more are scheduled to be added to the East London Port in September.
“This tugboat acquisition entails a total of seven tugs, with two allocated to the Port of East London and are scheduled to be unveiled at a launch, naming and christening ceremony in East London in September.
“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,” TNPA said in a statement.
The additions are expected to improve shipping efficiencies of the Port of Durban and strengthen shipping operations in ports.
TNPA said the tugboats were critical for delivering marine services and various port services such as pilotage, towage, firefighting, marine search and rescue as well as waterside pollution combat.
Transnet board chairperson, Andile Sangqu, said the procurement of this fleet demonstrates Transnet’s commitment to fully realise their 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,” Mr Sangqu said.
He said 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.
The tugs, each with a bollard-pull of 60 tonnes, were delivered by Damen Shipyards Cape Town and 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 and makes the tugs fully capable of handling larger vessels that call at South Africa’s premier container port,” said Mr Sangqu.