Tug Network Team Expands into Europe

The Tug Network Team has expanded into Europe with the addition of Fairplay Towage, marking a significant step in the development of the alliance and extending its global presence across major port regions.

Originally launched in the Americas in 2024 by Group Ocean, Sulnorte and CPT Towage, the network was created to strengthen cooperation among independent towage providers and offer shipowners and operators wider access to coordinated towage services. With the addition of Fairplay Towage, the alliance now covers 113 ports in 13 countries and represents a combined fleet of more than 200 tugs.

Headquartered in Hamburg, Fairplay Towage operates in 24 European ports and manages a fleet of over 100 modern tugs. With more than 120 years of maritime experience, the company has established a strong presence in key ports across Germany, the Baltics, Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Richard Penning, Head of Global Sales and Growth Strategy at Fairplay Towage, said that joining the alliance provides the company with a stronger international platform while maintaining its focus on independent towage services. By linking regional operators with strong local expertise, the network aims to offer customers broader geographic coverage and a more integrated service across major port markets.

Jean Philippe Brunet, Executive Vice President Corporate Affairs and Partnerships at Group Ocean and Chairman of Tug Network Team, said that Fairplay’s entry represents an important milestone for the alliance. According to Brunet, the expansion into Europe strengthens the network’s ability to support shipowners and operators seeking reliable towage services across multiple regions.