Work under way on port’s new tugs

Eastland Group Chief Operating Officer Andrew Gaddum, Eastland Port Marine Manager and Tug Pilot Chris Kaye and Marine Engineering Manager Rhys Sanft are looking forward to getting two brand new tug boats built for the Port’s requirements. Picture supplied

THE design has been completed and the build contract signed for two new tugboats for Eastland Port and these should be in operation by the middle of next year.

The first stage of building has started in China, with steel being cut for the two 21-metre-long vessels.

“The tugs are identical, with interchangeable parts, which will improve efficiency when repairs are needed,” Eastland Group chief operating officer Andrew Gaddum said.

With an 11m beam (width) and 4.5m draught (depth into water), each tug will have a bollard pull of 50 tonnes.

Eastland Port has two tugs working — the 26m Titirangi and 24m Waimata.

“The Titirangi has provided many years of valuable service but at 39 years old is now at the end of its service life,” Mr Gaddum said.

“We are looking forward to getting the brand new vessels built for our requirements.”

A key consideration in the decision to buy the new tugs was to respect and preserve the integrity of Te Toka-a-Taiau — the historic rock that provided a tribal boundary in the Turanganui River and is of significant importance to local iwi and hapu, he said.

“Through the process of the Twin Berth Stage 1 consent application, maintaining the mauri (life force/essence) of Te Toka-a-Taiau was identified as a significant consideration the port needed to factor into its plans,” Mr Gaddum said.

“We undertook a research project to identify the location of Te Toka-a-Taiau and had this reviewed key stakeholders, including local hapu and Heritage New Zealand. As a result of this research, the port made significant changes to its plans. The intention to rebuild Wharf 6 as a tug berth was stopped and the purchase of two shallower draft tugboats that can be accommodated on Wharf 1 was confirmed.”

The tugs were designed in Canada by Robert Allan Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, a well-respected naval architecture practice that works on vessels all over the world, Mr Gaddum said.

“The new tugs are part of our broader expansion plans with the Twin Berth project, with the rebuild of Wharf 7 due to start later this year.”

That project involves the rebuild of Wharf 7, the extension of Wharf 8, repairs to the slipway, dredging, reclamation and fixing the breakwater.

“The new tugs will help ensure the port continues to be able to meet the growing export needs of the region.”

Eastland Port has not released the price tag for the new craft as it is “commercially sensitive.”

The port will be running a competition for the public to name the new tugs. Details will be on its Facebook page from June 28.