Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) on Friday launched two tugboats – Qunu and Cormorant – as part of its R1.4-billion contract to procure nine tugboats from Durban shipbuilder Southern African Shipyards.
The contract was the largest single contract TNPA had ever awarded to a South African company.
Transnet chairperson Linda Mabaso said the tug building contract was a concrete demonstration of the local shipbuilding expertise that Operation Phakisa aimed to leverage as part of its focus on the oceans economy.
“Operation Phakisa is reigniting growth in the oceans economy and has been a catalyst for Transnet’s fast-tracking of investments in our ports. South Africa’s location and the expertise demonstrated by projects like this are key to us increasing our share of the global marine manufacturing market, including shipbuilding and repair, rig repair and refurbishment or boatbuilding,” she noted.
Southern African Shipyards chairperson Dr Donald Mkhawanazi pointed out that the project has, since inception, created at least 500 direct and 3 500 indirect jobs.
“The commitment of employees continues to ensure the delivery of quality tugs on budget and on time,” he said.
Tug Qunu would be allocated to the Port of Port Elizabeth alongside her sister tug Mvezo, which had been the first to roll off the production line in April.
Qunu would be handed over in June, while Cormorant was destined for the Port of Saldanha Bay in July.
The large-scale project would see two tugs each allocated to the ports of Durban, Richards Bay and Port Elizabeth, while Saldanha Bay, which handles the largest carriers, would receive three tugs.
There would be handovers every three months until the last tug was launched in early 2018.