PE gets first new tug

Monday saw the arrival in
the Port of Port Elizabeth of
the first of nine new tugboats
built by Durban-based
Southern African Shipyards.
“Ceremonially launched
as MVEZO last October, the
tug is named after the small
village in the province where
former president, the late
Nelson Mandela, was born,”
said Port Elizabeth port
manager, Rajesh Dana.
The nine-tug contract –
valued at R1.4 billion – is
the largest single contract
Transnet National Ports
Authority has ever awarded to
a South African company for
the building of harbour craft.
“MVEZO will be the first of
two new large, powerful tugs
planned for our f leet as part
of this large-scale contract,”
Dana added.
Two tugs each will be
allocated to the Ports of
Durban, Richards Bay
and Port Elizabeth, while
Saldanha, which handles the
largest carriers, will receive
three tugs.
CAPTION
The first of nine new tugs sailed into PE harbour on Monday.