TRANSNET National Ports Authority (TNPA) is on track with its R1.4 billion tug building contract and today celebrated the ceremonial launch of the fourth of its nine new tugs being built in Durban. The tug – named OSPREY in honour of the fish eagle – will serve at the Port of Saldanha. In line with maritime tradition, the duty of officially naming the vessel was carried out by Lady Sponsor, Thandeka Mabija, who earlier this month was appointed General Manager for Human Resources at TNPA.

TNPA Chief Operating Officer, Phyllis Difeto, said: “The work by Durban ship builder, Southern African Shipyards, on this project has helped to cement the marine ship building and support industry locally. Having a local manufacturer also promises excellent after-sales support for the 35-year service life of these vessels. Local ship building expertise is exactly what the government’s Operation Phakisa initiatives aim to leverage in unlocking the potential of the Ocean Economy.”

To date two tugs – MVEZO and QUNU – have been delivered to the Port of Port Elizabeth. Saldanha took delivery of CORMORANT in August and OSPREY will be delivered in December, followed by the port’s third tug next year.  The Ports of Durban and Richards Bay will also receive two new tugs.  There will be handovers every three months until the last tug is launched in early 2018.

TNPA’s new fleet of nine tugs are each 31 metres long with a 70 ton bollard pull. The older fleet of 29 tugs has 32.5 to 40 ton pulls. The increased bollard pull of these new generation tugs meets international standards and they also feature the latest global technology such as Voith Schneider propulsion which makes them highly manoeuvrable and able to change direction and thrust almost instantaneously while guiding large vessels safely into South Africa’s ports.