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 capable of changing 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
TNPA launched the penultimate tug of its R1.4-billion, nine-tug construction contract on November 17.

The uMkhomazi tug, which means “place of cow whales” in Zulu, will serve at the Port of Durban.

All nine tugs are being built by Southern African Shipyards in Durban. The company also handed over the seventh tug, Usiba, which was named and launched in August, to TNPA. Usiba will be delivered to the Port of Cape Town, which has recently experienced an upsurge in larger vessels requiring tugs with a more powerful bollard pull.

The Port of Richards Bay has received three new tugs in recent years.

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.