MEDIA RELEASE: NAPIER PORT
25 September 2019

Napier Port’s new tug, Kaweka, is about to start its long journey to Hawke’s Bay.

Taking inspiration from the mountain range surrounding Hawke’s Bay, the Kaweka was named after a positive engagement process with local marae, hapū and iwi. The port’s third tug will soon set sail from Dutch company Damen Shipyards in Song Cam, Vietnam to arrive here in early to mid-November.

Following its successful listing on the New Zealand Stock Exchange last month, Napier Port is now getting ready to build its sixth wharf. At 350 metres long, the wharf will be capable of handling the larger vessels that are expected to call at the port in the future and will also allow more ships to call.

Napier Port CEO Todd Dawson says, “Having a fleet of three tugs will be a major boost to our customer service.”

“This is an important step toward building the resilience and agility of our infrastructure.”

“A strong port is important to our region’s economic prosperity as a gateway to and from global markets. Over the last two years cargo volumes have increased and we need to grow our capacity to support future growth,” Mr Dawson says.

Napier Port Capability and Cruise Manager Bruce Lochhead and a team from Napier Port recently returned from Vietnam to carry out final checks, sea trials and commissioning of all equipment.

“The Kaweka performed very well and she looks great. Our Marine team are excited to take delivery of the third tug in a couple of months,” Mr Lochhead says.

“This boost to our fleet will improve our ability to service vessels, including larger vessels, reduce congestion and delays, improve berth availability and maintain full marine services if one of our other two tugs was out of service.

The new Azimuth Tractor Drive (ATD) Tug 2412 Twin Fin, will join the two existing Voith-type tugs at the Port – Te Mata and Ahuriri. Just 24 metres in length but with 72 tonnes of bollard pull, the Kaweka will deliver the right combination of power and compactness that the Napier Port Marine team is seeking.

Tractor tugs work well at Napier Port due to their ability to operate effectively in a swell, to tow indirectly, and their manoeuvrability, the last particularly important due to the tight berthing arrangements at the Port.

Notes to editors

• Napier Port has a major project underway to build 6 Wharf which will support growth for its customers and the region. 6 Wharf will help increase the port’s capacity and improve productivity by allowing the port to welcome more and larger ships; reducing the number of secondary movements required per year; and helping to strengthen operational agility and resilience.
• Taking inspiration from the Kaweka Ranges, located to the east of Napier and a significant reference point (also known as a tohu) when on the sea, the Kaweka name was arrived at after a positive engagement process with local marae, hapū and iwi. Kaweka means a gradual line of ascent to a pinnacle and is a reference to the physical appearance of the mountain range. The Kaweka Ranges are the source of many rivers which flow into Hawke’s Bay, including among them the Tūtaekurī, Mohaka and Ngaruoro Rivers.

About Napier Port

Napier Port is New Zealand’s fourth largest port by container volume. We are the main gateway for Hawke’s Bay exports and operate a long-term regional infrastructure asset that supports the regional economy. Our strategic purpose is to collaborate with the people and organisations that have a stake in helping our region grow.