Transnet’s Marine Fleet Renewal Programme is moving at full speed with Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) adding 5 new tugboats at the Port of Durban.
With the addition of these 5 tugboats TNPA now has a total of 38 tugboats used in the 8 major commercial seaports across South Africa with Durban alone utilising 14 tugs as the busiest port in South Africa. These tugboats will be joined by 2 more at the Port of East London in September 2024.
This addition is part of Transnet’s initiative to create and operate a reliable marine fleet and accelerate the implementation of the ZAR 1 billion investment in this area.
These state-of-the-art ASD 3010 tugs were delivered by Damen Shipyards Cape Town. They have a capacity of 60 bollard pull with Triton technology featuring the latest hull design and propulsion system with diesel engines fitted with Azimuth Stern Drive.
The christening ceremony of the 5 tugboats held in Durban on the 15th of August 2024 was attended by several key industries and provincial dignitaries including KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, eThekwiniChairperson of Economic Development and Planning Councillor Thembo Ntuli, Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips and Transnet board chairperson, Andile Sangqu..
TNPA’s Marine Fleet Renewal Programme prioritises the acquisition of marine assets to strengthen shipping operations at the ports.
“Investment in the marine fleet is an important element of Transnet’s efforts to revitalise South Africa’s ports and support economic growth,” said Transnet.
Tugboats are used in several activities within the port including pilotage, towing of ships, delivery or marine services, search and rescue operations, firefighting and combating of pollution.
Celebrating the occasion, Transnet board chairperson, Andile Sangqu, “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.”
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. These tugboats are expected to decrease maintenance cost and fuel consumption making them great assets for increase South Africa’s economic growth.
“These comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s Tier III environmental standards and make the tugs fully capable of handling larger vessels that call at South Africa’s premier container port,” added Sangqu.
Kudos to Transnet and management team in keeping the hopes of the country and industry alive..
