Port Taranaki replaces 40-year-old tug

A vessel with greater power and wider capabilities has arrived at Port Taranaki to replace the oldest member of the tug fleet.

Karoo, a 30-metre-long, stern drive tug with 50 tonnes of bollard pull, a large working deck and forward and aft winches, arrived from Albany, Australia earlier this week, after having served as an emergency towing vessel for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

The vessel replaces the tug Rupe, which Port Taranaki bought new in 1984 and has been part of the port fleet since. Rupe has been put up for sale and will be released when sold.

Karoo is a stern drive tug, where the propellers are at the stern of the vessel. This style is new to Port Taranaki, whose current fleet consists of tractor tugs, where the propellers are at the bow.

Port Taranaki’s tug crews will spend two weeks of training and familiarisation before Karoo is put into work.

Although Karoo was built in 1991, its greater power and certification to operate up to 200 nautical miles offshore make it ideal for the port.

Karoo joins Tuakana and Kīnaki in the Port Taranaki tug fleet. Kīnaki is the port’s newest tug, having been built in 2018 to replace the 45-year-old Kupe.