The Port of Durban has put in place mitigation plans to improve marine craft availability following a number of breakdowns of its tugs over the past week.
Durban port manager Mpumi Dweba said the port’s staff was working to ensure minimal impact on operations and to bring tug availability back to normal.
Dweba said tug availability had averaged three tugs, instead of the normal five from January 27.
“Tug Indlazi has been deployed from the Port of Ngqura to increase marine craft availability, with the tug expected to reach the port by Tuesday, February 31. This will increase the number of available tugs to four.”
One tug is currently in the dry dock completing a hull certification. The vessel is expected to be back in operation from February 1.
“This will increase the total number of available tugs and enable the port to adequately service vessels berthing at the port. In the medium-term and to create spare capacity, tugs Palmiet, Pholela and Umsunduzi, which are currently getting an overhaul of their propulsion units, are expected to be back in operation by the end of April 2023,” Dweba said.
The port is also in the process of acquiring two second-hand tugs, with a maximum age of five years, which are expected to be delivered by August.
