Durban harbour eases congestion with new tugboats
Tugboats assist other vessels into and out of congested port areas, so having all six tugs operating is a big step in the right direction for the port.
THE Port of Durban has made significant strides in the improvement of its marine craft status by increasing tug availability to an average of six tugs. The increased tug availability is set to complement the 24-hour helicopter service, ensure a quicker turnaround of vessels at the port and allow terminal operators to implement the Container Recovery Plan at the port with agility.
Tugboats are special boats that assist other vessels into and out of congested port areas. This comes after the introduction of the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) wide fleet renewal programme which seeks to ensure that marine crafts are maintained and serviced periodically to mitigate against breakdowns and provide a buffer should there be a need.
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The six operational tugs, namely, Umkhomazi, Mkhuze, Lotheni, Palmiet, Pholela and uMhlali, are playing a vital role in adding to the required tug capacity and availability for the improvement of operational efficiencies in the port. The provision of tugs falls within the ambit of TNPA as stipulated in Section 11 (n) of the National Ports Act of 2005, which states that the authority should provide or arrange for tugs, pilot boats and other facilities and services for the navigation and berthing of vessels in the ports.
“Having all six tugs operating is a big step in the right direction for the port, and our investment in the marine fleet exhibits our commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring the port remains a gateway for trade. We are optimistic about the positive impact these tugs will have on the current Container Recovery Plan and our general service offering to our customers,” said Mpumi Dweba-Kwetana, Port manager at the Port of Durban.
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Most of the repair and maintenance of the Port of Durban marine fleet has been carried out by TNPA’s internal heavy engineering workshop, Workshop 24, which is based in the Bayhead Precinct in the port. TNPA also anticipates the delivery of three second-hand tugs to the Port of Durban in the first quarter of 2024. This comes at a time when the Port of Durban is currently facing a backlog of vessels, with over a dozen vessels queuing at the port, waiting to dock, and trucks being unable to get appointments to collect shipping containers.
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