CentrePort Wellington has ordered a new state-of-the-art tug which is expected to future-proof it to handling expected larger vessel callers, particularly in the cruise industry. Due to arrive by mid-to-late 2013 the fuel-efficient tug will be capable of pulling 68 tonnes and will partner recently-acquired sister-tug, 'Tiaki'.
Over a fifth of cruise liners calling at Wellington next year are expected to be over 300 metres long, with the next generation to be 340 metres. The 'Queen Elizabeth', already a regular visitor to Wellington, is 294 metres long.
CentrePort chief executive Blair O’Keeffe describes the acquisition as a “significant capital investment”.
“Last year, our tugs assisted more than 1300 ship movements in Wellington Harbour and this is growing,” he says.
“The acquisition of the new tug alongside other state-of-the-art assets including cranes and straddle carriers is part of the company’s long-term investment and asset renewal plan. We would typically purchase a new tug only once every 30 to 40 years, so this is a rare event.”