How purpose-built escort tugs leverage advanced hull forms, propulsion layouts and rigorous training to ensure precision handling during FLNG and FSRU operations
Deployment of floating LNG (FLNG) facilities and floating storage regasification units (FSRUs) continues to accelerate as developers seek faster timelines, lower environmental footprints and greater adaptability to global energy markets. These projects are introducing rising demand for specialised tugs to support LNG carriers docking at these offshore and coastal terminals and ship-to-ship transfers.
Escort tugs are vessels purpose-built to deliver the steering and braking forces necessary to control large LNG carriers during critical approach and departure manoeuvres. “A specially designed tug that exerts high steering and braking forces on a ship, must satisfy stability, strength and performance requirements,” explained Mr Brendan Smoker, manager, escort-tug performance, Robert Allan Ltd, speaking at the TugTechnology’25 conference in Antwerp in May 2025.He emphasised that the distinction between class-mandated stability and strength criteria and port-specified performance demands is crucial.
Classification societies grant an escort-tug notation once a vessel demonstrates compliance with both stability under heel and structural loads. “A notation is no indication of performance. Technically, you could have next to no performance or very high performance and still hold the same notation,” he said.This underscores the need for operators to state explicitly whether they require steering, braking, or combined capabilities.
