THE construction of nine state-of-the-art tugboats is well underway in Durban, nine months after the project, which is expected to boost the local economy over the course of its 42-month span, commenced.
The Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) R1.4-billion contract will see nine tugboats built at the Southern African Shipyards in Durban. These high quality tugboats will replace ageing boats in Durban, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay and Saldanha and the project includes the manufacture of one of the world’s largest and most powerful harbour tugs.
“The requirement for bigger, stronger tugboat fleets had increased in line with bigger commercial vessels calling at South African ports more frequently,” said TNPA programme manager and senior manager for marine operations, Eugene Rappetti.
“The increased bollard pull of these new generation tugs meets international standards and they also feature the latest global technology. Despite the challenges of energy disruptions, the project team is forging ahead and has made impressive progress, with around 11% of the fabrication and construction on the project completed thus far,” he added.
