Southern African Shipyards’ R400-m contract to build five mammoth tugs simultaneously for the National Ports Authority is under way, with the first destined for Coega to be launched in July 2009. Locally designed, the size and capability of these tugs make them the most powerful harbour tugs in the country and will enable the NPA to meet the needs of larger container ships at Coega and Durban when the harbour mouth is widened. The shipyard is currently involved in an open tender for another eight 70-ton bollard pull tugs for various ports around the coast. “If that comes off it will keep us building until the end of 2012,” said Prasheen Maharaj, financial director Southern African Shipyards.
