The new vessel is a multi-functional seagoing craft designed to support maintenance activities and enhance environmental management, including pollution control and oil spill response within the port.
The unveiling of a multi-purpose vessel in Cape Town, the same week that container behemoth the MSC Nicola Mastro berthed at the Port of Ngqura, has kept the spotlight firmly on the continuing investment in ports and services in South Africa.
The R120 million (approximately USD$6.7 million) vessel christened “Yarona,” a Setswana name which means “Ours,” was unveiled by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) on 7 July, signifying a crucial addition to its marine fleet at the Port of Cape Town.
“This development marks another significant milestone in the execution of the TNPA’s ongoing Marine Fleet Renewal Program which aims to increase the availability of the marine fleet at South Africa’s commercial seaports,” said TNPA in a media statement.
The new vessel, TNPA said, is a multi-functional seagoing craft designed to support maintenance activities and enhance environmental management, including pollution control and oil spill response within the port.
“The vessel is designed to remove debris, conduct maintenance dredging and perform quay‑wall repairs. Additionally, it will assist in lighthouse maintenance and carry out upkeep tasks such as fender replacement and minor dredging activities.”
Built by Damen Shipyards Cape Town, Yarona’s construction took 14-months, creating approximately 18 job opportunities for the community, with the name being settled on by a TNPA employee through an internal competition.
To Ursula Daschner, a Sales Support Team Member for Damen Sales Force Africa, Yarona is more than just a name.
“It is a word that speaks to unity, pride, and shared purpose. This name reflects the essence of what this vessel represents: community, national pride, and the spirit of collaboration,” she wrote in a social media post, following the unveiling of the new vessel.
“Yarona is more than a vessel,” she added. “She is a symbol of South African craftsmanship, constructed to the highest standards of quality and excellence. The Cape Town yard approached this project with not just technical expertise but with heart—understanding that they weren’t just building for a client, but for a nation.”
Once operational, the multipurpose vessel will employ three new crew members from TNPA, in addition to the two crew members who were aboard the old vessel.