The first of Port of Tauranga’s new-build tugs arrived today after a 30 day delivery voyage from Hong Kong.
The Tai Pari and her sister vessel Tai Timu were built to the Port’s specifications by Cheoy Lee of Hong Kong. The Tai Timu is scheduled to arrive at Tauranga at the end of June.
The tug upgrade is part of a $350 million capital expenditure program the Port Company is undertaking to position Tauranga as the North Island port capable of handling the larger container ships expected in the near future.
It includes the $30 million Sulphur Point wharf extension, another $12 million Liebherr Post-Panamax container crane, six more straddle carriers at approximately $1 million each and a $50 million harbor dredging program that will increase the depth from 12.9m to 16m.
The next few weeks will be spent familiarizing Port staff in the operation of the vessel and it is planned to enter service at the end of the month.
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