The Port of Durban has “significantly improved” marine craft availability following its business continuity management plans to tackle tug breakdowns over the past week.
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) said in a statement on Thursday that the port had worked to ensure minimal delays in operations and shipping movement as it brought tug availability back to normality. It said tug availability had averaged four tugs, one pilot boat and two launches from February 1.
Tug Indlazi from the Port of Ngqura had arrived in port and would be operational, once it had undergone the required vessel examinations, adding to the port’s marine craft availability, TNPA said. Tug Lotheni has now completed its hull certification and is already operational, servicing vessels berthing at the port.
Port of Durban manager Mpumi Dweba-Kwetana said the port was committed to implementing its mitigation plans to improve services.
“As the Port of Durban leadership, we express sincere gratitude to all port stakeholders and customers for their support in the last few days in relation to the issues of tug deployment. We remain resolute in ensuring that the port provides our customers with the required service levels. We also remain committed to implementing the short- to medium-term mitigation plans that we have put in place,” Dweba-Kwetana said.
