Professional Mariner – American Tugboat Review 2025

Steady fleet renewal efforts keep new tugboat orders coming

Moran Towing is one of the largest tugboat operators in the United States, with more than 85 tugs in commercial service operating in 17 ports. That fleet will collectively be younger, more powerful and more comfortable for crews following a surge in new vessel orders. Over the last year, the company has taken delivery of four new 86-foot tugboats from…

The towing industry’s transition to synthetic rope

The U.S. towing industry has seen some major technology transitions throughout its history, such as the move from coal-fired steam to diesel propulsion, the change from whistle signals to radio communications and the advent of azipods and cycloidal drives for increased maneuverability. Another of these transitions was the change from natural fiber rope to synthetic lines made of nylon and…

Pungent ammonia offers enticing carbon-free propulsion possibilities

The quest for reduced- or zero-carbon propulsion has sparked extensive research and innovation within the maritime industry. One possible solution to the challenge of maritime emissions is the use of ammonia as a fuel source. Ammonia, which contains no carbon, can be used as a source of combustion for large-scale marine engines. It also can be used to generate electricity…

Signet Capella sets a new global standard for raw power and agility

2025 Tugboat of the Year: Signet Capella After a Texas port completed a decades-long dredging project, the giant tankers transiting in and out of its tight channel demanded a uniquely capable kind of tugboat. To meet that demand, Signet Maritime Corp. took delivery of its second Advanced Rotortug (ART), Signet Capella, from its in-house shipyard Signet Shipbuilding & Repair (SS&R). This…

Muscular new escort tug supports a resurgent Port of Baltimore

ISABEL mcallister | McAllister Towing | New York, N.Y. McAllister Towing & Transportation’s multiyear fleet renewal gained momentum this spring with the arrival of Isabel McAllister in the Port of Baltimore. The 6,770-hp tug is the fourth delivery in a six-boat series from Washburn & Doughty Associates in East Boothbay, Maine. The shipyard also designed Isabel using its proven and well-respected 93-by-38-foot platform optimized…

Low emission May Louise flexes muscles around the Port of Houston

May Louise | Bay-Houston Towing | Houston, Texas With its fire monitors blasting almost 12,000 gallons of water into the sky per minute, May Louise was a stunning sight against the Bayport Container Terminal in the Port of Houston. Christened in March 2025, the 7,000-hp, Robert Allan Ltd.-designed May Louise is the most powerful tugboat in the Bay-Houston Towing Co. fleet. It was…

Bisso Towboat completes years-long effort to build all-ASD fleet

Mr. Brian | Bisso Towboat Co. | Luling, La. Bisso Towboat Co. set a course more than a decade ago to build an entire fleet of azimuthing stern drive (ASD) tugboats. It reached that milestone last fall with the arrival of the 5,000-hp Mr. Brian. Named for Brian Cyprowski, Bisso’s longtime vice president of operations, the 100-by-38-foot Mr. Brian…

TDOT pushboat honors legendary coach from the Volunteer State

SUMMITT | Tennessee DOT | Clarksville, Tenn. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has placed a capable new pushboat into service on a rural ferry crossing that honors a legendary coach from the Volunteer State. The 800-hp Summitt pushes the 80-foot vehicle barge Volunteer across the Tennessee River for TDOT’s Benton-Houston Ferry service. River Marine Service operates the ferry under…

Great Lakes Towing looks to the future as 10-tug order winds down

NEW YORK | The Great Lakes Towing Company | Cleveland, Ohio The Great Lakes Towing Company is entering the final stages of a decade-long fleet renewal program that has expanded its ship-assist capabilities throughout the region. The 2,000-hp tug New York was delivered last fall from Great Lakes Shipyard, a division of The Great Lakes Group based on the Cuyahoga River near…

Colonial Oil Industries welcomes first newbuild towboat since 1979

Soaring Eagle | Colonial Oil Industries | Savannah, Ga. A fuel transportation company with deep roots in Georgia and across the Southeastern United States recently took delivery of its first new towboat in almost 50 years. The 1,600-hp Soaring Eagle joined the Colonial Oil Industries fleet in late 2024 following delivery from Eymard Marine Construction & Repair in Harvey, La.…