Port Marlborough New Zealand orders ASD tug

Port Marlborough New Zealand has placed an order for a new ASD tug to increase its existing towage capacity.

Port Marlborough said the tug, which will be named Kaiaua, will measure almost 23 metres long and will deliver a bollard pull of 70 tonnes. Enhanced manoeuvrability will be provided by a twin fin skeg and azimuthing thrusters.

The tug has been selected to support Port Marlborough’s towage capabilities in Picton Harbour, which the company said saw more than 3,100 visits by vessels of 500 GT and above in the previous financial year.

Kaiaua will feature a wheelhouse offering 360 degrees of visibility; a single winch concept for both forward and aft operations; obstacle-free working decks due to the single winch positioned in the deckhouse; IMO Tier III-compliant main engines; and an electric power generation system that will use power from the main engines, further reducing fuel use and emissions.

The tug will complement Port Marlborough's existing ASD tug Kaiana, which was purchased in 2023.