​New tug provides extra muscle to handle bigger cruise, container ships.

Ports of Auckland’s new tug, the Hauraki was welcomed into the stunning Waitematā harbour at dawn this morning by two generations of port tugs.

Ports of Auckland Chief Executive Tony Gibson said “We are delighted to receive the latest addition to our tug family. Over time, ships visiting Auckland have been getting bigger, and we need more power on hand to see ships into their berths quickly and safely. The Hauraki delivers that for us and will set us up for the future growth of visiting ships.”

The new tug has the strength of seven and a half African elephants and can exert a pulling power of almost 70 tonnes.

Built in Changde, China, the tug has just completed a 5300 nautical mile journey from Shanghai via Papua New Guinea, at an average speed of around 8 knots over four weeks.

The tug will now go through a detailed examination and acceptance process before getting to work in earnest next month.

Download images of Hauraki's arrival here - Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4 and Image 5.

ENDS

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