State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has, as part of its marine fleet renewal programme, ordered seven tugboats in a R1-billion investment aimed at enhancing marine operations at its commercial seaports.
The Port of Durban has been allocated five of the seven tugboats, with the remaining two to be deployed at the Port of East London.
The seven tugboats will replace marine craft that have reached the end of their operational lifespan at these ports.
TNPA has awarded two contracts to shipbuilding company Damen Shipyards Cape Town to deliver the seven tugboats between April and August this year.
The tugboats have the latest hull design and propulsion, as well as a 60 t bollard pull. This is a much-needed improvement from the bollard pull of the existing tugboats that have 32 t and 40 t bollard pulls.
The 60 t bollard pull meets international standards and makes the craft highly manoeuvrable, while guiding larger and newer vessels safely in and out of the ports, said TNPA chief harbour master Captain Rufus Lekala.
“This investment demonstrates TNPA’s ongoing commitment to providing reliable marine craft at our South African ports, which will enable us to effectively serve the marine industry and respond to global shipping demands,” he said.
TNPA’s marine fleet programme demonstrates a reimagined focus in ensuring that it delivers on its mandate of providing a competitive port system as an enabler of economic growth, the entity added.