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Eugene Rappetti News

06 May 2016

Two New Tugs Built for TNPA

TNPA’s new tugs, Qunu and Cormorant, were launched and named at the Southern African Shipyards in Durban Linda Mabaso, Chair of Transnet SOC Limited, named the vessels, flanked by Trishna Misra, Chief Financial Officer of Southern African Shipyards. (Photo by Philip Wilson – Logico Creative Solutions)

The South African government’s Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy initiative has yielded more results with the ceremonial launch of two more tugboats built for Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA). The two tugs – named Qunu and Cormorant – form part of TNPA’s R1.4 billion contract awarded to Durban ship builder, Southern African Shipyards. It is the largest single contract TNPA has ever given to a South African company for the building of harbor craft and will see a total of nine new tugs built for the South African port landlord over three and a half years.

04 Apr 2016

First of Nine New TNPA Tugs Sets Sail

MVEZO (Photo: TNPA)

The first of Transnet National Ports Authority’s nine new, powerful tugboats set sail from the Durban premises of contractor, Southern African Shipyards, on Saturday, April 2, destined for its new home at the Port of Port Elizabeth. The tug was ceremonially launched as MVEZO last October. It arrived in Port Elizabeth in the early hours of Monday, April 4. Port Elizabeth port manager, Rajesh Dana, said, “The arrival of MVEZO in the Eastern Cape is particularly significant given that the tug was named after the small village in our province where former President…

12 Nov 2015

South African Boatbuilding: Tugboat Honors Mandela Birthplace

(Photos courtesy of Southern African Shipyards)

Transnet National Ports Authority announced a milestone in its $98 million tug building contract when the first of its nine new tugboats was launched at the Durban premises of contractor, Southern African Shipyards. “This is the largest single contract TNPA has ever awarded to a South African company for the building of harbor craft,” said TNPA chief executive, Richard Vallihu. The tug was named ‘MVEZO’ in reference to the small village in the Eastern Cape of South Africa where former President, the late Nelson Mandela, was born.

18 May 2015

9 Voith Schneider Tugs on target in SA Shipyards

Construction work on nine tugboats for Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) at the Southern African Shipyards premises in Durban is well under way. "This is a milestone project that reinforces the capacity and skill of South Africa when it comes to competing in the global shipbuilding industry," said Eugene Rappetti, senior manager for Marine Operations at TNPA. "Despite the challenges of energy disruptions, the project team is forging ahead and has made impressive progress, with around 11% of the fabrication and construction on the project completed thus far," he said. The project kicked off in August 2014 and is set to provide a big boost to the local economy over its 42 month lifespan. It includes the manufacture of one of the world’s largest and most powerful harbour tugs.

30 Apr 2015

TNPA’s Tug Project Going Full Steam Ahead

The first of TNPA’s nine tugs is about 35% complete and its hull and superstructure are 70% complete. The first tug is expected to be handed over in January 2016 (Photo: TNPA)

Transnet National Port’s Authority’s R1.4 billion contract to produce nine powerful tugboats is progressing on time and within budget at the Southern African Shipyards premises in Durban. “This is a milestone project that reinforces the capacity and skill of South Africa and indeed Durban when it comes to competing in the global shipbuilding industry,” said TNPA program manager Eugene Rappetti, Senior Manager for Marine Operations. “Despite the challenges of energy disruptions…