The Port of East London on Thursday received the two last tugboats marking the completion of Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) R1billion investment towards the Marine Fleet Renewal Programme.

The programme is aimed at boosting tugboat availability and enhancing shipping operations.

The programme is a key element of the Transnet Recovery Plan which is critical in driving shipping efficiencies and reliability, whilst also positioning the ports as competitive and a catalyst for economic growth.

The tugboats are designed to provide marine services including the safe navigation of vessels, pilotage, towage and waterside pollution combat.

The two tugs delivered by Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) replace the existing tug fleet that has reached its operational lifespan at the Port of East London in the Eastern Cape.

The latest tugs comprising modern technology solutions are built with an azimuth stern drive and have an improved bollard pull of 60-tonnes compared to the 43-tonnes bollard pull on the ex
isting tugs.

The procurement of the tugs serves as a catalyst for the port’s expansion plan.

The plan also includes the deepening and strengthening of the port’s automotive berth to address berthing challenges.

The project hit a significant milestone in November 2023 with the commencement of the concrete works package.

Also included in the river port’s expansion plan is the delivery of two jib cranes for the port’s dry dock facility, which will increase the ship repair facility’s capacity and volume throughput in the 2024/25 financial year.

Strategic projects

The advanced features of the two new tugs will enable the port to respond to the anticipated shipping and volume demands.

‘The journey towards the full recovery of Transnet lies in our commitment to growth and investing in fit-for-purpose equipment,’ said Transnet Board Chairperson, Andile Sangqu who spoke during the tug naming and christening ceremony held at the port.

‘This acquisition is a crucial investment towards creating a sustainable port
system and will enable the execution of strategic projects currently underway at the Port of East London,’ Sangqu said.

Recovery Plan

Sangqu said Transnet is currently executing a number of actionable steps to halt the decline in operational and financial performance through the Transnet Recovery Plan launched in October 2023.

‘The Recovery Plan directs us to prioritise revitalising our ageing marine assets in order to improve operational efficiency and serve our customers better. Investing in port infrastructure to drive efficiency and reliability is a catalyst for improved economic competitiveness.

‘Ports are the lifeblood of trade, the gateways through which goods flow in and out of our economy,’ Sangqu said.

Lentswe and Kganya

At the christening ceremony, tug Lentswe meaning ‘the voice of sailors’ was unveiled by Transnet Board Member, Boitumelo Sedupane in her role as the tug’s Lady Sponsor, while tug Kganya meaning ‘light’ and symbolising guidance in safe navigation of vessels, was revealed and ch
ristened by TNPA Board Member Valda Gossman.

The names of the tugs were chosen through a naming competition run among TNPA employees.

The two tugs are in addition to the five tugs which were delivered at the Port of Durban last month.

‘We are proud to have delivered these tugboats for TNPA. The vessels represent a substantial investment in our maritime infrastructure and will contribute to local job creation and skills development as DSCT will provide all operational support, including spares, repairs, and services,’ said Sefale Montsi, Director at Damen Shipyards Cape Town.

‘Through a centralised system, the vessel will provide data-driven insight for timely information on ship operations,’ she said.

Attracting investors

Eastern Cape acting Premier Mlungisi Mvoko said the acquisition of the two tugboats is part of enhancing operations at the Port of East London.

‘Today’s milestone aligns with our strategic view that our ports are the biggest instruments for attracting investors in the province,’ Mvoko
said.

Mvoko said the province is pleased with TNPA’s investment in boosting tugboat availability and shipping efficiencies at the port.

‘Our customers in this port are set to benefit from the improved capacity in the new tugboats when compared to the existing maritime crafts that have reached their lifespan. We believe that this will have positive impact on the container vessel turnaround time and ultimately increase efficiencies and productivity at the port.

‘It is these efficiencies that we will leverage on to increase our economic activities in areas of the automotive sector and agriculture, our two main economic drivers in the Eastern Cape.

‘We are trying very hard to lure as many investors to the province as we can. It is the only way we can deal with the high rate of unemployment. All customers in this port are set to benefit from the improved capacity in the new tugboats when compared to the existing maritime crafts that have reached their lifespan,’ the acting Premier said.

The delivery of the fl
eet is part of TNPA’s R1 billion investment in boosting tugboat availability and shipping efficiencies in the South African seaports.

From the acquisition, the Port of Durban has been allocated five tugboats while two tugs have been allocated to the Port of East London.

Source: South African Government News Agency