Tugworld Review 2009 spots the trends – by Jack Gaston

This annual review gives a brief but interesting snapshot from the wide variety of tugs delivered during 2009.

For many years Tugworld Review has provided a worthwhile indication of developing trends occurring within the towage industry.

In this 20th edition the proliferation of high performance terminal tugs is particularly obvious, along with the predominance of ASD propulsion and the gradual but marked escalation in bollard pull highlighted by the editor, Dawn Gorman. Bollard pulls of over 90 tons are becoming increasingly common in terminal/escort tugs, a figure previously associated only with large seagoing vessels.

This latest review is in A4 format and comprises well over 100 pages, including a directory section at the back. There are 35 entries covering tugs completed by a diverse selection of shipyards from all round the world, each article supported by a full colour illustration and line drawing. The wide selection of vessels included range from a road transportable pusher tug through a variety of shiphandling tugs and highly sophisticated terminal tugs to a diverse selection of vessels for the offshore sector.

Each description of a tug or ‘class of tug’ is accompanied by a photograph, a G/A drawing and an outline specification. Where it is warranted additional material is added, including a selection of detailed photographs. Tugworld Review is presented in full colour throughout and incorporates a ‘News Review’ of interesting items from the towage and salvage industries. The book is published by The ABR Company Ltd, ISBN: 978-1-904050-19-3

Price: £30 including post & packing (surface mail UK); + £4.50 extra if sent by air mail.