- Port of Esperance 10-year tug agreement signed with Mackenzie Marine and Towage
- Extends family business’ 50-year partnership with Port of Esperance
- Secures 25 regional jobs
Esperance-based Mackenzie Marine and Towage (MMT) has been awarded a 10-year licence to operate tug services at the Port of Esperance.
The family-owned business employs 25 locals and has a proven record of providing capable crews and equipment to suit local operating conditions, having successfully provided tug services at the Port of Esperance continuously since 1972.
As the only deep water port in southern Western Australia capable of hosting larger Capesize vessels, a minimum of three 70-tonne bollard pull tugs are required to operate at the Port of Esperance – ideally Azimuth Stern Drive tugs of the same tug type.
MMT will provide three primary tugs and a back-up tug as part of the new agreement.
The new $10 million tugboat ‘Lillian Mac’, which was added to MMT’s Esperance fleet in April 2023, will be the primary third tug under the licence.
Under the licence MMT will also deliver a further two new tugs, in 2025 and 2027, providing a world-class fleet in Esperance.
MMT’s sustainability commitment also supports a clean energy future, targeting 100 per cent Scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon neutrality over the 10-year licence period.
As stated by Ports Minister David Michael:
“Ports are pivotal to our State’s economic success as a connector of Western Australian products with world markets – but they need quality marine and tug services to achieve this.
“At the Port of Esperance, tug services assisted the marine pilots with 450 vessel movements to facilitate 13.6 million tonnes of trade last year alone.
“With the Port of Esperance’s large catchment and significant role in our State’s iron ore and critical minerals trade, it’s pleasing that the partnership between MMT and Southern Ports will continue into the future.”
As stated by Agricultural Region MLC Shelley Payne:
“As the deepest port in southern Western Australia with unique conditions, a provider like Mackenzie Marine and Towage offers local experience which is vital to safe shipping operations.
“This is a brilliant outcome for local prosperity and jobs.”
