On 7 July 2025, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) officially unveiled its new multi-purpose vessel, valued at R120 million and constructed locally at Damen Shipyards Cape Town. The vessel, named Yarona—a Setswana word meaning “ours”—marks a key milestone in TNPA’s Marine Fleet Renewal Programme.
Vessel Overview & Design Features
Yarona measures approximately 19.05 m in length and 8.36 m in beam, built with an all-welded steel hull and superstructure engineered to withstand harsh harbour conditions. Key capabilities include:
- Maintenance dredging to ensure navigable depths
- Removal of marine debris and navigation hazard mitigation
- Quay-wall repairs, fender replacement, and lighthouse servicing
- Oil spill response and pollution control operations
This vessel enhances TNPA’s capacity for environmental response and dockside upkeep across the port
Strategic Importance and Economic Impact
The naming of Yarona through an internal TNPA competition reflects a sense of shared ownership. Built over a 14‑month period, the project generated about 18 job opportunities, prioritizing youth, women, and previously disadvantaged individuals. Upon commissioning, the vessel will add three new TNPA crew members to the existing team from the retired pollution control craft
At the unveiling ceremony, Transnet COO Solly Letsoalo emphasized that Yarona is integral to the broader “Reinvent for Growth” strategy. He noted: “We have entered our growth phase… we believe we have reached the bottom and can only go up.” This investment reflects Transnet’s infrastructure-led development approach to support national economic growth and customer service across ports, rail, and pipelines
Integration into Marine Fleet Renewal Programme
Yarona joins a fleet of newly built asset classes—including launch boats, tugs, and dredgers—designed to replace aging crafts and modernize South Africa’s maritime infrastructure
For instance, in early 2025 TNPA upgraded its Grab Hopper Dredger “Italeni” with modern equipment, strengthening dredging capabilities and berth availability in Cape Town :
Operational Advantages & Environmental Preparedness
Yarona features fuel-efficient propulsion, deck-mounted hydraulic crane, and advanced automation systems. Damen Shipyards Cape Town selected a proven vessel design used globally, lowering lifecycle costs while delivering performance and reliability
By replacing the outdated pollution control craft, Yarona enables faster response to oil spills and debris events, improving safety, environmental resilience, and overall service quality at the port
Complementary Port Upgrades
The vessel’s commission coincides with significant expansion at the Port of Cape Town. Annual container handling capacity is set to rise from around 1 million TEU to approximately 1.4 million TEU by 2025–26. Upgrades include new cranes, improved rail and truck staging infrastructure, and development of logistics precincts such as Culemborg, aimed at enhancing cargo flow efficiency
Conclusion
The commissioning of Yarona marks a pivotal advancement in the modernization of Port of Cape Town. As a multi-purpose, locally built vessel, it strengthens marine operations, environmental responsiveness, and workforce capacity under TNPA’s Marine Fleet Renewal Programme. In combination with broader port expansions and dredging upgrades, Yarona underscores Cape Town’s readiness to operate as a modern, dynamic maritime hub in Southern Africa and beyond.
Published: July 2025 | BY bizcommunity.com
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