Pacific Towing welcomes PACIFIC RESPONDER - its newest and most powerful tug to Port Moresby

Pacific Towing (PacTow) has welcomed its newest and most powerful tug, PACIFIC RESPONDER, into Port Moresby following a 27-day delivery voyage from Zhenjiang, China, marking a significant milestone in Steamships’ ongoing investment in Papua New Guinea’s maritime infrastructure.

The new-build Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tug arrived on Friday, 6 November, having travelled approximately 4,400 nautical miles across the region. After completing customs clearance, PACIFIC RESPONDER proceeded to PacTow’s dedicated tug base and headquarters at Motukea, escorted by PacTow tugs KEERA and TAVURVUR.

The voyage began on 11 October, with the tug travelling from Zhenjiang to Zhoushan in China. She then headed south to the Philippines where essential supplies, fuel and equipment were taken on board, and a crew change took place.

From the Philippines PACIFIC RESPONDER sailed towards PNG, transiting the waters north of Australia and the Torres Strait before arriving safely in Port Moresby.

The voyage included periods of challenging sea conditions, particularly during the passage from China to the Philippines, where the tug encountered heavy swells and strong winds.

PACIFIC RESPONDER is expected to commence harbour towage duties in Port Moresby as soon as all permits and compliance requirements are in place, including comprehensive crew training.

The arrival of PACIFIC RESPONDER will enhance towage capabilities in Port Moresby and help support increasing shipping activity associated with PNG’s growing economy.

PACIFIC RESPONDER is one of two new-build tugs commissioned by PacTow as part of a PGK70 million investment in its fleet. The second tug, PACIFIC RESOLUTE, is currently en route to PNG.

With bollard pulls of 70 and 67 tonnes respectively, the two vessels are the most powerful tugs in PacTow’s fleet.

Steamships Marine Logistics General Manager, Alistair Skingley, said the investment represented a significant commitment to strengthening the company’s marine services and supporting the future needs of PNG’s shipping industry.

“An investment of PGK70 million in these two harbour towage tugs is a significant commitment by Steamships to Pacific Towing, our customers and the future of Papua New Guinea’s maritime industry.

“PACIFIC RESPONDER and PACIFIC RESOLUTE will give PacTow greater capacity to support shipping companies operating in PNG, including those bringing larger vessels into our ports. They will also strengthen the reliability, safety and range of towage services we can provide to our customers.

“The introduction of these vessels will also provide opportunities for ongoing training and capability development for our PNG maritime workforce.

“This investment ensures PacTow remains well positioned to support PNG’s ports and shipping industry as trade volumes and vessel sizes continue to grow.”