State-of-the-art tugboats in production in Durban
The nine tugboats will replace older vessels and increase vessel fleets in the ports of Durban, Richards Bay, Port Elizabeth and Saldanha Bay.
Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) awarded a R1,4-billion awarded a contract to Durban-based South African Shipyards for the production on nine tugboats. The cutting of the first steel took place at a ceremony held on Friday, 22 August.
“This contract rates as the largest single contract awarded by TNPA to a South African company for the building of harbour craft. The acquisition of these tugboats is consistent with Transnet’s Market Demand Strategy to provide capacity ahead of demand, ensuring productivity and operational efficiency,” said Tau Morwe, TNPA chief executive.
The nine tugboats will replace will replace older vessels and increase vessel fleets in the ports of Durban, Richards Bay, Port Elizabeth and Saldanha Bay. “To meet an almost unprecedented target of building the nine tugboats in just 42 months, they will be built in tandem with five tugs under construction at any given time with varying launch dates,” said SA Shipyards chief executive, Prasheen Maharaj.
The first tugboat will be commissioned in November 2015 while the last tug will be handed over in the first quarter of 2018.
To meet the tight building programme, various companies involved in the project have set up workshops in SA Shipyards premises. These include companies such as Barloworld/Caterpillar, Siemens and Voith Schneider.
A local supplier development programme will ensure local content is maximised and that black suppliers, women and youth-owned businesses are included in the procurement process. In addition, a number of national and international training and development opportunities will be created for local employees.
