Towing

Ship towing — tasks for tug companies and captains

Towing is one of the most complex and responsible operations in the maritime industry. It requires a specialised fleet, experienced crews and strict compliance with safety standards. The Steel Water task board publishes tasks for all types of towing: from vessel relocation to another port to refloating and emergency towing.

Tasks are posted by shipowners, shipping companies, port services and insurance companies. Contractors are tug companies, emergency rescue vessel operators, port tugs.

Types of towing on the task board

• Sea towing — vessel relocation from port to port, between basins, through straits and canals
• Harbour towing — mooring, unmooring, vessel shifting within the port area
• Emergency towing — refloating, evacuation from a dangerous area, towing after breakdown
• Non-self-propelled object towing — barges, docks, floating cranes, pontoons, platforms
• Ice towing — vessel escorting in ice, operations in ice conditions
• Towing to shipyard — delivery of a vessel for repair or docking

What to specify in a towing task

• Vessel or object — type, displacement (DWT), length, draught, self-propelled or not
• Departure and destination — ports, coordinates, distance
• Timeline — planned towing dates, weather restrictions
• Tug requirements — power, class, ice class, equipment
• Urgency — planned or emergency, this affects contractor selection
• Additional — permits, insurance, port fees required

What matters for contractors

Towing requires not only a powerful fleet but also crew experience. When responding to a task, specify: vessel class, main engine power, availability of towing equipment (winches, hooks, cables), experience with similar operations, ability to work in a specific region. If the task is urgent — confirm readiness to depart immediately.

Safety and documents

Sea towing is always accompanied by a contract, an operation plan and insurance coverage. If you have experience and permits — mention this in your response. For emergency tasks, priority goes to companies with active LOF or similar salvage agreements.

Post towing tasks for free — find a contractor as quickly as possible. Or respond to tasks if you have a tug fleet in the required region. All active tasks — in the Towing section.

Currently on the task board there are 0 tasks.