South Africa : TNPA’s completion of new tug jetty at the Port of Durban set to increase efficiencies
Transnet National Ports Authority has completed the construction of a new tug jetty for the Port of Durban, which will enable quicker turnaround time for larger vessels that require additional tugs. The construction was initiated in line with the KwaZulu-Natal Port Master Plan, a programme that is set to position the Durban port as an international container hub.
The completion of the project means the draft limitations and berthing space constraints have been eliminated – the port will now have sufficient berthing space and be able to consolidate the berthing of its marine fleet, which will increase operational efficiencies.
“The completion of the tug jetty project is a great milestone for the Port of Durban. The port now has a complement of 18 marine fleet which includes tugs, launches, pilot boats, a floating crane and a work boat. The older jetty could only accommodate 13 marine vessels, and the balance of the fleet was required to be berthed in other areas within the port. The new jetty makes the marine craft easily available to operations.” said Mpumi Dweba – Kwetana, Port Manager at the Port of Durban.
The R127m construction project commenced in May 2021 and was implemented in two segments. The first segment included the establishment of a new 110m tug jetty adjacent and parallel to the existing jetty. The second segment comprise the extension of the original tug jetty by 35m. The existing tug basin was deepened to eight (8) meters to safely accommodate all tug vessels.
The provision of efficient marine services is one of TNPA’s core service offerings to the shipping industry. These services include providing towage, docking, and/or undocking services to vessels calling at and leaving the port. The efficiency of this service is dependent on having a reliable marine fleet of tugs, with infrastructure that is fit for purpose and capable of delivering an agreedupon service level to a wide range of vessels.
TNPA
