HONIARA, Solomon Islands – February 25, 2026 – Pacific Towing (PacTow), a prominent marine services provider in the Pacific region, has significantly upgraded its towage capabilities in the Solomon Islands with the return of Tug Kavachi following an extensive dry-docking and refurbishment in Singapore, valued at SBD 8 million.
Tug Kavachi, which flies the Solomon Islands flag and is managed by a fully Solomon Islander crew, has resumed operations at the Port of Honiara, complementing the powerful ASD tug Pacific Salvor. Together, these two tugs achieve a combined bollard pull of 90 tonnes—50 tonnes from Pacific Salvor and 40 tonnes from Kavachi—enabling PacTow to conduct two-tug harbour movements in Honiara for the first time.
This enhancement empowers the port to safely maneuver larger and more complex vessels, thereby bolstering operational reliability and strengthening the maritime infrastructure of the Solomon Islands. In addition to servicing Honiara, PacTow has also expanded its capabilities to service Noro Port through mobilization.
Gerard Kasnari, PacTow’s General Manager, emphasized that the return of Tug Kavachi marks a critical milestone in the company’s long-standing commitment to safe and reliable towage operations in the Solomon Islands. “PacTow is now well-positioned to support the growing volume and size of vessels arriving at the port. This upgrade not only enhances port operations but also contributes to the broader development of maritime infrastructure in the Solomon Islands,” he stated.
Kasnari further highlighted that the investment in Tug Kavachi’s refurbishment and the commitment to employing a local crew demonstrate PacTow’s dedication to maritime safety, reliability, and supporting local expertise.
Having operated in the Solomon Islands for over a decade, PacTow is also focused on nurturing local talent. In 2025, the company awarded maritime cadetship scholarships to four Solomon Islanders, who are currently enrolled in the cadetship program at Fiji’s National University’s Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies (PCMS).
This commitment to local development and infrastructure is a hopeful step forward for the maritime sector in the Solomon Islands, supporting the region’s growing economic prospects.