What's New in the Tug and Barge World?

“Asymmetric Tractor”

it looks the “Ship Docking Module “ tugs that Erik Hvida had built 25 years ago (they went to Signet). One Z drive forward on one side and another Z drive aft on the opposite side. Nothing new about this concept.

However, the overall design, equipment, and fit out of this tug looks much much better.

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No tugs (or ships) are built for beauty these days.
If you want beauty you have to look at least 30 years back in time.
Like these two:


Wolraad Woltemade & John Ross - The Great South African Ocean Salvage Tugs

Both now sadly gone to the breakers.

PS> I worked with both of those in their prime.

PS> The article is probably written by somebody without much understanding of how things work in the real world.
Then for the next step:

30 years? What do I have to do to get on such a new tug? :rofl:

Or these two:


The tugs ELBE & HOLLAND moored in Hamburg Photo: Jan Ove Mühlpforte ©

The Museum tugs ELBE & HOLLAND moored in Hamburg for the 836th HAFENGEBURTSTAG
Photo: Hans Hoffmann (c)

Take a trip to Hamburg. You MAY be invited onboard one of these during the Hamburg Hafenburtstag:


The FAIRPLAY-91 and FAIRPLAY-95 in action during the 836th HAFENGEBURTSTAG in HAMBURG"
Photo: Roger van der Kraan (c)


The FAIRPLAY-57 in action during the 836th HAFENGEBURTSTAG in HAMBURG
Phot: Hans Hoffmann (c)


The latest work of maritime artist Willem Johan Hoendervanger a watercolor in size of 45 x 65 cm of the GRAMMA LEE T. MORAN. See more works of Willem Johan at www.oceanlinerart.com.

Yes this is a painting, not a photo.

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The 2004 Damen built highly innovative Multi Purpose Pontoon 8017 TERRA MARIQUE for Robert Wynn and sons.
Barge is self propelled, suitable for beaching, has adjustable decks, sterndoor etc and over the last years carry out remarkable projects.
Text & Photo: Arie Boer (c) Maasmond Newsclippings 214-2025


Their unique heavy lift ro/ro barge Terra Marique has become the first commercial vessel to transit the river Forth through the iconic Kincardine and Clackmannanshire bridges on route to Alloa,


The largest piece being 56m in length, 6m in diameter and weighing 187te. All cargo was loaded onto specialist transport provider Mammoet SPMT’s and rolled off in an offloading operation that took less than 90 minutes to complete.

Timings on this project were critical as navigation through the bridges was planned to the minute due to the tidal variations on the Forth and in particular, the two bridges.

Source: Terra Marique Travels the River Forth - HeavyTorque

“Boss” south bound in Karmsundet today:


Photo: Arild B. via NSF

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An interesting book about famouse tugs that have served on the SA coast and beyond:


Link: South Africa's Supertugs - About

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The WILLIAM E MORAN recently entered service in New York, marking the debut of Moran’s next-generation tug class.
Purpose-built to meet the demands of modern port operations, this ASD Tractor tug delivers over 80 metric tons of bollard pull and is equipped for high-performance escort and ship assist operations.
Source: Maasmond Newsclippings today.

Launch video:

Delivery video: