New additions to Cairns – welcome Wajarri and Tarcoola

In July, Svitzer Australia’s port in Cairns, Far North Queensland welcomed the second of two new vessels, Tarcoola into service. Tarcoola joined her sister, Wajarri, that had entered service 8 weeks earlier.

The matching pair of 28-metre tractor tugs have a combined bollard pull of 100 tons, and will improve efficiency and flexibility in the port.

Both vessels were relocated to Cairns from Geraldton, following the arrival of Geraldton’s new fleet earlier this year.

By relocating assets nationally, Svitzer Australia can improve its fleet in various ports and better meet operational requirements regionally. Most importantly, this gives Svitzer the ability to serve our customers better and meet our local port needs while utilising our assets to their potential.

These new tugs will replace Giru and Tusker, and Svitzer have already engaged Giru in work at Groote Eylandt in response to a request for assistance from an operator in that region.

Svitzer’s Far North Queensland Port Manager, Rick Goffin, said the two new assets have been warmly welcomed into the port by local stakeholders.

“The introduction of these two new assets to the port of Cairns underpins Svitzer’s commitment to the region, and doubles our firefighting support capabilities within the port.

“We have worked closely with our port stakeholders and customers to see how we can best meet their requirements, now and into the future.”

Mobilising the two tugs from Geraldton in Western Australia to Cairns in Far North Queensland required the teamwork of colleagues in Fremantle, Geraldton, Darwin and Cairns.

A big thank you and acknowledgement for the collective efforts of everyone who has been involved in the relocation, training of crews and commissioning of these tugs in Cairns.