New $15m tug to ensure “always open” port

As part of Port Otago’s strategy to be New Zealand’s “always open” port and capable of handling the biggest ships visiting the country, a new 70-tonne Damen ASD 2312 tug is on its way.

Chief Executive Kevin Winders says the $15m tug is a key piece of infrastructure that will allow the port to be big-ship capable. “We already have the three other essential components in place: the Multipurpose Wharf, at 430 metres long and a berth depth of 14 metres; consent to deepen the Lower Harbour channel to 15 metres; and a new state-of-the-art dredge on order. By January 2026, we will also have the tug fleet we need – that is a fleet capable of handling container vessels up to 10,000 TEU and larger bulk ships.”

Until recently, the company’s three-tug fleet consisted of:

• Tug Taiaroa (2014) – Damen 70-tonne bollard pull
• Tug Otago (2003) – 58-tonne bollard pull, and
• Tug Arihi (2016) – 30-tonne bollard pull. (Arihi’s main role is manoeuvring our backhoe dredging operation; she also provides back-up towage.)

GM Marine & Infrastructure Grant Bicknell says that, when the Marine team assessed the tug specifications required to handle the larger vessels, the Damen ASD 2312 tug was the standout option. 

“Initial modelling showed our current channel design and 14-metre depth was sufficient to transit a 10,000 TEU container vessel from the Otago heads through to Port Chalmers. However, to manoeuvre the vessel in the swing basin and onto the 430-metre main container berth, the Multipurpose Wharf, required two 70-tonne bollard-pull tugs.”

The decision was made to sell Tug Otago and purchase the second 70-tonne Damen tug, which is now under construction in the Damen Changde shipyard in China. Tug Otago was sold to an Australian commercial marine towage service.