Designed in South Africa, built in South Africa, and owned in South Africa. Currently under construction the pair of 2000 HP, 19.3 by 7.25-meter tugs will be a proud addion to the fleet of South Africa’s Transnet National Ports Authority. The South African matitime design and building capabilities are well established and this new vessel will add to that strong base.

Both the dimensions and the power put these new tugs in a very popular class of tugs. Powered by a pair of Cummins’ popular K38 engines, classed IMO2, and turning Teignbridge, five-blade, B-series propellers through ZF 3750 gears with 5.950:1 ratios, the two boats will meet the diverse requirements of modern harbour work boats. With the dual engines producing 2000 HP at 1800 RPM, this functionality is enhanced by the gears being fitted with a trolling valve to allow slow-speed precision maneuvering. At the same time the props with their 1829 m/m diamter and 1472 m/m pitch will give the boat a free runming speed in excess of ten kmots and a solid 15-tons of bollard pull for coastal or harbour towing. Deck equipment for each vessel will include a windlass with capstan, an aft deck capstan, and a towing bollard fitted with a towing hook.

With accommodations for a crew of up to six people, the tugs will be tasked with a wide range of responsibilities from towage to pilotage work. Tankage on each boat will include 28 cubic meters for fuel, 10 m3 for water, and .83 m3 for lube oil. Auxiliary electrical power for each vessel will be provided by a pair of Cummins 4B3.9 47kW, 1500-RPM, 50kVa 400V generators.

The two tugs will be built at the Veecraft Custom Commercial Craft yard, which already has an impressivle list of vessels, in both steel and aluminum, to their credit. (www.veecraft.com). The new tugs will be named at the time of their commissioning, currently scheduled for June 2021.