Maritime glossary
Tug
A powerful small vessel that tows, pushes, and assists larger ships in ports, on rivers, and at sea.
Definition
A tug is a compact, high-powered vessel built to move much larger ships. Harbour tugs assist berthing and unberthing and escort tankers in confined water; terminal and escort tugs stand by under tight safety rules; ocean-going salvage and towage tugs move barges, rigs, and disabled ships across open water. Bollard pull, the static pulling force in tonnes, is the headline capability figure rather than horsepower alone.
How Vessel Hunter uses Tug
Towage and port-service operators use Vessel Hunter to see inbound deep-sea tonnage early and line up the assist before the ship reaches the pilot station.
Related terms
- Pilotage
The guidance of a ship through confined or hazardous waters by a local maritime pilot.
- Berth
The specific quay or jetty position where a vessel ties up to load, discharge, or lay up.
- Anchorage
A designated area off a port where vessels anchor to wait for a berth, orders, or tide.
The bigger picture
Tug is one piece of the commercial maritime picture Vessel Hunter pulls together for shipyards, suppliers, service providers, and port agents. Every vessel record bundles AIS, ownership, inspections, dry-dock history, casualty record, classification status, and a verified contact for the operator decision-maker behind the ship, so the team that reaches out first wins the work.
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