Name and Location
Tug building project, 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.

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 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.

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.

Value
The order is estimated at about R1.5-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
Construction and engineering group Aveng Grinaker-LTA says its mechanical and electrical contracts division is making good progress on the electrical installation of nine harbour tugs, with work having started on the second and third tugs.

The first tug, the 31-m-long Mvezo, was launched in November 2015.

The Mvezo is undergoing final fit-out and readiness for harbour and sea trials. The company notes that completion and handover of the last vessel is on schedule for the end of February 2018.

Aveng’s scope of work includes procurement, commissioning assistance and attendance during harbour and sea acceptance trials at the Southern African Shipyards, in Durban.

Work also includes the supply and installation of marine-pattern cable ladder racks, support steel and watertight cable sealing penetrations, as well as the provision of all cable installation, glanding and termination materials.

Aveng Grinaker-LTA will further conduct the installation, termination and testing of all the tugboats’ marine-approved electrical power, control, navigation and communications systems cables, as well as the installation of the main electrical switchboards and subdistribution boards and panels.

The team will also assist in commissioning all electrical power, control, navigation and communications systems.

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

On Budget and on Time?
The project is on time and on budget.

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