The Port of Eden has welcomed a new resident, with the 50-tonne tug Svitzer Edwina arriving on Monday.
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Her sister vessel, Svitzer Olivia, isn’t far behind, and is expected to reach Snug Cove before the end of the year.
Edwina is due to commence operational work in around two weeks, while Olivia will require a few weeks of preparation after her arrival.
They will replace the outgoing 40-tonne Bulimba and Warringa, each of which will continue operational duties overseas after being snapped up soon after going on the market.
Svitzer Eden marine manager Steve Heffernan said that while there will be some tears shed with the sale of the much-loved tugs, the time was right for a change, and that the new vessels are better suited to the local operation.
“Bulimba and Warringa have served the port well and are still effective vessels, but at 36 and 38 years old respectively, their propulsion technology is outdated,” Svitzer Eden marine manager Steve Heffernan said.
“Twin screw vessels are also generally being phased out in the modern harbour towage industry.
“Our two new tugs are fitted with azimuth stern drives, which allow the propulsion units to turn through 360 degrees.
“This gives them greater manoeuvrability and makes them more suitable for the trades in the Port of Eden.
“They’re also only 25 years old, so we’ll get more of an operational life out of them.”
The incoming 34m long vessels also boast double the gross tonnage of their predecessors, with 470 tonnes as opposed to 235.
Mr Heffernan said Svitzer will open up the newly acquired vessels for public inspection later this year.