Port of East London Receives New Tugboats to Boost Shipping Efficiencies and Economic Growth

The improved tugboats are expected to enhance the port's response to increasing shipping and volume demands.

The Port of East London received the final two tugboats on Thursday, marking the completion of Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) R1 billion Marine Fleet Renewal Programme. This initiative aims to enhance tugboat availability and improve shipping operations as part of Transnet’s broader Recovery Plan to boost efficiency and reliability across South Africa’s ports.

The two tugboats, delivered by Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT), will replace the aging fleet at the Port of East London, enabling better vessel navigation, pilotage, towage, and pollution control. Equipped with azimuth stern drives and a bollard pull of 60 tonnes, these advanced tugs surpass the capabilities of the port’s previous fleet.

The Marine Fleet Renewal Programme aligns with the port's expansion plans, which also include deepening and strengthening its automotive berth to address berthing challenges and expanding its ship repair capacity with new jib cranes in the coming financial year. The improved tugboats are expected to enhance the port's response to increasing shipping and volume demands.

Speaking at the tug christening ceremony, Transnet Board Chairperson Andile Sangqu emphasized that this investment is crucial to the sustainability of South Africa's port system and the execution of strategic projects at the Port of East London.

“Ports are the lifeblood of trade, the gateways through which goods flow in and out of our economy. Investing in port infrastructure drives efficiency and competitiveness, which is vital for economic growth,” Sangqu said.

The tugboats, named Lentswe (“the voice of sailors”) and Kganya (“light”), were christened by TNPA Board Members Boitumelo Sedupane and Valda Gossman. The names were chosen through a naming competition held among TNPA employees.

Eastern Cape Acting Premier Mlungisi Mvoko welcomed the new tugboats, highlighting their role in attracting investors and boosting key economic sectors such as automotive and agriculture. “These investments will improve port efficiency, reduce container vessel turnaround time, and ultimately enhance productivity,” Mvoko said.

The Port of East London’s new tugs are part of TNPA's larger R1 billion investment in boosting tugboat availability across South Africa's seaports, with five additional tugs allocated to the Port of Durban.