HONIARA, Solomon Islands – February 25, 2026 – Pacific Towing (PacTow), a leading marine services provider in the Pacific region, has made a significant advancement in its towage capabilities in the Solomon Islands with the return of Tug Kavachi. This vessel recently underwent an extensive dry-docking and refurbishment in Singapore, an investment valued at SBD 8 million.
Tug Kavachi, which proudly flies the Solomon Islands flag and is managed by a fully Solomon Islander crew, has re-entered service at the Port of Honiara. It works alongside the powerful ASD tug Pacific Salvor, together forming a formidable team with a combined bollard pull of 90 tonnes—50 tonnes contributed by Pacific Salvor and 40 tonnes from Tug Kavachi. This combination marks the introduction of two-tug harbour movements in Honiara for the first time, allowing for the safe maneuvering of larger and more complex vessels.
The upgrade not only enhances the operational capabilities of the port but also strengthens the overall maritime infrastructure within the Solomon Islands. Beyond Honiara, PacTow is broadening its service scope to include Noro Port through mobilization efforts.
Gerard Kasnari, PacTow’s General Manager, highlighted that the return of Tug Kavachi represents a vital milestone in the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering safe and reliable towage operations in the region. “PacTow is now well-positioned to support the increasing volume and size of vessels coming into the port. This upgrade enhances port operations significantly while also contributing to the broader development of the Solomon Islands’ maritime infrastructure,” he remarked.
Kasnari also noted that the investment in the refurbishment of Tug Kavachi, along with the focus on employing local personnel, underscores PacTow’s dedication to maritime safety and reliability. The company has been rooted in the Solomon Islands for over a decade and is focused on developing local talent. In 2025, PacTow awarded maritime cadetship scholarships to four Solomon Islanders, who are now enrolled in the cadetship program at Fiji’s National University’s Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies (PCMS).
This ongoing commitment to local development and the enhancement of maritime infrastructure signals a promising future for the maritime sector in the Solomon Islands, aligning with the region’s expanding economic opportunities.