A tugboat or towing vessel is a broad category of vessels designed to tow and roll other vessels or various floating structures. In addition to transportation, they are used to ensure safe maneuvering of large vessels on difficult sections of waterways, in ports and harbors, as well as in emergency and rescue operations.
Tugs are used on all types of waterways and are operated in water basins of many countries of the world. Usually, they are small or medium-sized vessels, the design of which may vary significantly depending on the purpose and area of navigation. Tugs are referred to as auxiliary fleet vessels; they outnumber all other types of auxiliary vessels.
These vessels play an important role in guiding ships through the narrows when entering and leaving the port. Tugs have been known since ancient times, as the tasks of towing and delivering damaged ships to port, as well as ensuring safe maneuvering in the port have existed all along. Since the end of XIX century vessels performing such operations have been separated into a separate special class of auxiliary vessels – tugs.
Engineers of our design bureau have extensive experience in designing tugboats of various types. Many tugboats have been built according to these designs and are successfully operated in various ports of the world.
