Posted on November 26, 2024
The world’s largest car carrier, called at the Port of Durban on her maiden voyage this week.
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) said the “on-time” and seamless berthing of the vessel was a major milestone in the port’s journey to recovery.
“This operational highlight was made possible by the port’s newly injected marine fleet of state-of-the-art tugs, showcasing TNPA’s commitment to enabling volume recovery and operational efficiency,” TNPA said.
The Höegh Aurora is a next-generation vessel known for its advanced green energy solutions. The vessel is powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), equipped with solar panels, and designed for future conversion to methanol or ammonia fuel once the engines are ready.
TNPA Port of Durban manager, Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi, said the timely and safe berthing of the vessel was an “operational milestone”.
“The on time berthing of the Höegh Aurora demonstrates our responsiveness to ensuring volumes are efficiently handled at our port. This operational milestone also highlights the impact of our new tug fleet,” Ben-Mazwi said.
“These tugs represent a significant enhancement to our marine services, enabling us to meet the demands of global shipping with efficiency, reliability and sustainability.”
As part of its ongoing turnaround plan, the Port of Durban is collaborating with terminal operators and customers to enable volume recovery, operational efficiency, and ensure fit-for-purpose infrastructure.
“The seamless berthing of the Höegh Aurora demonstrates Durban’s capacity to handle the world’s largest and most advanced vessels, reaffirming its status as a premier gateway for maritime trade,” TNPA said.
