The Port of Cape Town looks set to benefit from a new R120million multi-purpose vessel launched in early July. The Damen-built ‘Yarona’ will bolster Transnet’s marine services and pollution control activities, thereby improving port efficiency.
The 19.05 m vessel has a beam of 8.36 meters and features an all-welded steel hull and superstructure. “This translates into a quicker and effective response when called upon by port users to remove navigation hazards,” TNPA said in a lunch statement. The Setswana name ‘Yarona’ means ‘Ours’ in English. The name was chosen by a TNPA employee following an in-house naming competition.
Speaking at the ceremony, Transnet Group Chief Operating Officer, Solly Letsoalo said, “At the heart of our Reinvent for Growth Strategy is infrastructure-led growth and a commitment to reliable and efficient operations across our operations. As Transnet, we remain focused on modernising our fleet and ensuring fit-for-purpose infrastructure in order to meet the needs of our customers and the broader South African economy.”
The new vessel will employ three new TNPA crew members in addition to the two employed on the old multi-purpose vessel.