New helicopters ordered for TNPA's Durban, Richards Bay ports

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has concluded negotiations and signed an agreement for the manufacture, supply and delivery of two new helicopters to service the Durban and Richards Bay ports, as part of its helicopter marine pilotage service - one of only three countries in the world to do so. The AgustaWestland (AW109) helicopters, valued at about R250-million, are being procured from Italian aerospace and defence group Leonardo S.p.A., formerly Leonardo-Finmeccanica, Finmeccanica and AgustaWestland. They are expected to be delivered by June next year.