The Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC)’s plan to purchase two new 5,200hp harbor tugs is part of Port of Kaohsiung’s overall strategy to enhance Asia’s regional transshipment, comprehensive logistics and vessel handling services and to expand port and harbor facilities to meet the needs of increasingly large cargo vessels.
The new tugs will replace outdated models and ensure port capabilities to service post-Panamax ships.
The plan is being implemented in three phases between January 1st, 2011 and December 31st, 2013. The final bid approval was made on August 10th, 2011 with an approved budget of NT$419.9 million. A delivery contract was signed with the bid winner, CSBC Corporation, on August 19th, 2011. Blueprints were then approved according to the contract.
The 4 contracted construction phases include the work commencement phase (finished on June 1st, 2012); keel construction phase (finished on November 23rd, 2012); launch phase (tug 1: to be finished on March 21st / tug 2: to be finished on April 22nd, 2013); and final delivery (tug 1: to be finished on July 6th / tug 2: to be finished on August 7th, 2013).
The project is proceeding according to schedule. Once delivered, the new tugs will be able to handle modern container vessels up to 10,000 TEU. Their addition to the Kaohsiung Port work fleet will increase service efficiency and safety and further enhance Port of Kaohsiung’s international competitiveness.
[mappress]
TIPC, March 12, 2013