TNPA issues RfI for tugboat clean fuels pilot project

State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has published a request for information (RfI) for a strategic pilot project to use green and cleaner fuels for its selected diesel-operated tugboat fleet.

The project is in line with parent company Transnet’s commitment to bolster South Africa’s just transition journey to a low-carbon economy focused on cleaner, renewable and green fuels.

The RfI invites interested parties to submit proposals for the technical assessment on old diesel tugboats. The scope of work includes information regarding assessing the condition of the existing tugboats, evaluating components such as the diesel engines, inspecting the mechanical and structural compartments for potential new components or modifications.

This initiative is for a pilot project to retrofit existing tugboats to use alternative fuels, including liquefied natural gas, biodiesel, hydrogen and methanol.

Upon the success of the retrofitting pilot phase, the tugboats will be restored to optimal operational performance and efficiency, enabling them to service the ports while using improved fuel and delivering sustainable environmental impact.

“The plans to retrofit TNPA’s tugboat fleet with low-to-no-carbon fuel is a significant step towards decarbonising shipping and reducing the carbon footprint of our marine craft. This project stems from TNPA’s energy mix initiatives, which respond to the Ports Authority’s objectives of operating an environmentally sustainable port system,” TNPA acting CE Phyllis Difeto said on November 6.