CT tug shortage assurance

A shortage of tugs is
unlikely to cause delays at
the Port of Cape Town, a
spokesman for Transnet
National Ports Authority
has assured its customers.
Only three tugs are
currently operational at
the port with the fourth
currently undergoing
routine maintenance.
Port authorities do not
foresee any major problems
as volumes have dropped in
recent months.
“The tug is undergoing
a major engine overhaul as
part of routine maintenance
and will be out of
commission for at least
three weeks,” said a TNPA
spokesman. “At present we
have three tugs operational
and fully staffed during the
day shift, but are operating
with only two tugs at night.
The third can however be
brought into operation on
request on the night shift.”
Having faced staff
shortages to man all four
tugs over two shifts, TNPA
is presently recruiting staff
to ensure that all four tugs
will be operational by the
end of July at the latest.