Five new tugs to be chartered to Port Hedland

Sydney, 19 June 2023: Svitzer, a leading global towage provider and part of A.P. Moller-Maersk, has signed an agreement for the delivery of five new RAstar 2800 tugs to service BHP’s Port Hedland (Western Australia) operations.

The new tugboats will be delivered from 1H 2024 and will operate on a long-term charter arrangement on a five-year term with a 5-year extension option, replacing older tugs as they are delivered into service.

The new tugs are a proven, high-specification tug that will enhance the capability of the existing fleet of 17 tugs at Port Hedland. At an impressive 80T Bollard Pull and equipped with the Schottel SYDRIVE-M thrusters the tugs will deliver both power but also a reduced carbon emissions footprint as they are able to mobilise and demobilise on a single engine.

Port Hedland is the largest iron ore loading port in the world and the largest bulk port (by tonnage throughput) in Australia.

“Svitzer is committed to delivering safe, reliable and efficient tugs meeting all operational criteria to service this very busy and complex towage operation in Port Hedland,” Managing Director Svitzer Australia, Nicolaj Noes said.

”We look forward to providing enhanced service quality to valued customers with the new tugs.”

The new Svitzer vessels offer greater fuel efficiency and will deliver CO2 emission savings over the charter term.

Svitzer also provides exclusive commercial representation on behalf of BHP to customers seeking to utilise BHP’s towage services in Port Hedland.

About the RAStar 2800