Name of the Project
Tug building project.

Location
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Client
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).

Project Description
The project involves the construction of nine tugboats, including the world’s most powerful tugboat, over the next four years.

The new fleet of tugs, produced by Durban-based Southern African Shipyards, will replace ageing tugboats at the ports of Durban, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay and Saldanha.

Eight of the tugs will be 31 m long and 11.5 m wide, with almost double the pulling power of the tugs currently used at South Africa’s ports.

The most powerful tug in the world will be 42 m long and 15 m wide, with a bollard pull of 100 t.

The increased bollard pull of these new-generation tugs meets international standards. They also feature the latest global technology, such as Voith Schneider propulsion, which makes them highly manoeuvrable and able to change direction and thrust almost instantaneously while guiding large vessels into port. The ports of Durban, Richards Bay and Port Elizabeth will each be allocated two tugs, while the Port of Saldanha, which handles the largest carriers and has a history of vessel groundings, will receive three tugs.

The project forms part of a wider fleet replacement programme that, in addition to the new tugs, covers new dredging vessels and new port helicopters. The programme, which is aimed at improving the operational efficiency of South African ports, forms part of TNPA’s R56-billion contribution to Transnet’s R300-billion Market Demand Strategy.

Jobs to be Created
Each tug, valued at about R161-million, creates 500 direct jobs and an estimated 2 500 indirect jobs.

Value
The order is estimated at about R1.4-billion.

Duration
The first tug was launched in November 2015, with the last expected to be handed over in the first quarter of 2018.

Latest Developments
The TNPA and Southern African Shipyards (SAS) launched a fifth new tug, the Ukhozi, in Durban, on February 13.

The tug project is 81% complete.

Five tugs are under construction at any given time at SAS’s Durban shipyard.

The Ukhozi, meaning eagle, is destined for Richards Bay and is the first of two tugs earmarked for the port. It is also the first tug bound for a KwaZulu-Natal port. Four tugs are already in operation at the Port Elizabeth and Saldanha ports.

Transnet has set aside R7.7-billion for training over the next seven years. In 2016, 513 trainees graduated from the Maritime School of Excellence in Durban. Transnet has employed 81% of these on completion of their qualifications.

SAS CEO Prasheen Maharaj, meanwhile, has said that the tug contract has benefited not only his company but also other local enterprises. He says that it has not only saved jobs but created new ones, which has resulted in the training of artisans and engineers within SAS.

Maharaj has said that labour-intensive companies, such as SAS, are the answer to unemployment, providing the calibre of jobs that create the spending power that will filter through the economy.

He has also noted that the production of the tugs proves that South African companies have the capability and capacity to meet all the country’s vessel requirements and that there is no need to “look to foreign shores”.

Maharaj has said it is in everyone’s best interest for SAS to continue supporting the TNPA to provide the maintenance that will ensure that the tugs see out their 41-year life spans.

He has called on government and State-owned, entities such as the TNPA, to create an enabling and competitive environment for local companies and people to benefit from the blue economy.

Although existing legislation facilitates this, proper implementation of the Ports Act is needed, he has said.

Private companies should not “just take”, but give back by providing training and skills and enterprise development, as well as through corporate social initiatives, Maharaj has added.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Southern African Shipyards SAS (tugboat construction); Barloworld Equipment, Siemens, Voith Schneider, local contractors Bradgary Marine Shopfitters (subcontractors), and Aveng Grinaker-LTA (mechanical and electrical contracts).

On Budget and on Time?
The project is progressing on schedule and within budget.

Contact Details for Project Information
TNPA, tel +27 11 351 9023 or fax +27 11 351 9001.