What Is a Tugboat? Understanding the Work, Role, and Rewards at MOL Group

In the previously published article, "What is a Tugboat? Exploring the Tugboat Business of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines! (Link to the article) " we introduced the basic capabilities of tugboats—the unsung heroes of ports—and provided an overview of the MOL Group’s network of bases located throughout Japan.

In this article, we take a deeper dive into the realities of the tugboat business. Using Green Shipping Ltd., which supports the entire Kyushu region, as a case study, we explore the daily work of dispatch operators who serve as the command center of operations, the professional skills involved in towing large-scale structures, and the behind-the-scenes efforts of a recruitment project aimed at attracting the next generation of maritime professionals. If you have ever wondered “What is a tugboat?”, “What is a seafarer's life like?”, or “What makes towing so remarkable?”, this article presents the realities of the tugboat business from the perspective of those working on the front line.

The Tugboat Business: Supporting Safety and Logistics in Ports 

The tugboat business refers to a range of services provided using tugboats, including berthing and unberthing assistance for large vessels entering and leaving ports, navigational safety support for vessels carrying hazardous cargo and large cargo ships, and the transport (towage) of offshore structures such as offshore wind power facilities and port infrastructure. 

Within the confined environment of a port, large vessels weighing tens of thousands of tons require the powerful yet precise assistance of tugboats to operate safely. Tugboats perform a wide range of specialized tasks, including: 

LNG-fueled tugboat ISHIN supporting the launching ceremony of MOL’s LNG-fueled ferry Sunflower Pirka (Source: MOL Press Release)  

These services are indispensable to port infrastructure. Because even minor mistakes can lead to serious incidents, they require highly advanced technical expertise and many years of experience.

The MOL Group operates approximately 50 tugboats at major ports throughout Japan—including Hokkaido, Ise Bay, the Seto Inland Sea, and Kyushu—primarily through three domestic companies: Nihon Tug-Boat Co., Ltd., Green Shipping, Ltd., and Green Kaiji Kaisha, Ltd. The Group is also expanding its overseas network in locations such as Vietnam and Hong Kong, supporting the safety of maritime transportation around the world.

MOL Group tugboat companies in Japan (Source: MOL)

MOL Group tugboat companies outside Japan (Source: MOL) 

In July 2025, with the establishment of MOL Bay Links Co., Ltd., the Group has further advanced organization-wide optimization while maintaining the strengths of each company rooted in its respective region.  

The Group continues to pursue next-generation port infrastructure through initiatives such as reducing its environmental impact by completing the LNG-fueled tugboat ISHIN and introducing Propeller Boss Cap Fins (PBCF), a propeller efficiency improvement device —as well as improving operational efficiency through the use of digital technologies. 

LNG-fueled tugboat ISHIN (Source: MOL Press Release)

What Do Tugboat Dispatch Operations Involve? A Day in the Life of a Dispatch Operator

The dispatch operator is the “brain” that enables tugboats to operate efficiently and safely. Dispatch operators are far more than administrative staff. They are professionals who possess in-depth knowledge of operational conditions and support continuous operations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 
For example, operators like Mr. A, a veteran employee with 16 years of service, are responsible for vessel operations management and profitability management from the shore. After completing their regular duties, they set up a nighttime call-forwarding system so they can respond to emergencies. In the event of an incident, they quickly coordinate with the relevant parties. As the operational command center, they support safe and stable maritime transportation. 

 A Typical Day in the Life of a Dispatch Operator Mr. A (16 Years of Service) 

“Our day begins with a handover from the person responsible for nighttime operations. First, we review alcohol-testing records for all vessels and confirm weather and sea conditions. When preparing dispatch schedules, operations such as berthing a VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) can take up to five to six hours, so careful labor management to ensure crews receive adequate rest is also an important part of our work.”

“The morning is the most critical part of the day. We consolidate new orders and changes received through agents and build the schedule for the following day. If our own vessels are insufficient, we request support from other operators so that logistics across the entire port can continue without interruption.”

“In the afternoon, we go out to the field. We visit tugboats in person and meet directly with the captains. For towing projects involving particularly large structures, we hold detailed discussions regarding towing plans and safety measures. By experiencing actual conditions firsthand, we can make safer and more accurate dispatch decisions.”  


“And finally, when the workday nears its end. We send the work schedule to all relevant parties at once and then complete final confirmations with each vessel. After finishing administrative work at 5:30 p.m., we set up the nighttime call-forwarding system and hand operations over to the next person on duty. Twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, we continue supporting safety in the port.”

By serving as the command center that supports local industries and daily life at the gateway to the sea, these professionals help sustain Japan’s maritime transportation network.  

What Is Tugboat Towage? The Technology and Dynamism Behind Moving Massive Structures 

Towage services, which involve towing large structures that cannot navigate under their own power, represent one of the most dynamic and specialized areas of the tugboat business.  
Although commonly referred to simply as “towage,” the actual work varies significantly depending on factors such as the size of the object being towed, the operating area (harbor, inland sea, or open ocean), and towing distance. Project duration also varies, ranging from short assignments completed in a single day or within a week to long-term projects lasting several months or even half a year. Whether transporting a massive structure from one port to another or repositioning a small barge within a harbor, both activities may be described as towage. 

Towing the semi-submersible barge “Floatraiser”（Source: Video from MOL Bay Links Official YouTube Channel “The Real World of Tugboats”）

• Three Factors Supporting the Towage Business

Towage services for large, non-self-propelled structures cannot be carried out simply by deploying a vessel. Successful execution requires all three of the following elements: the company (regulatory compliance), the vessel (equipment), and the people (technical expertise). 

• Examples of Towage Projects 

Green Shipping, Ltd. has experience towing some of Japan’s largest structures, including KAISHO, one of the country’s largest crane vessels with a lifting capacity of 4,100 tons, and Floatraiser, a semi-submersible barge measuring 110 meters in length. 

For example, transporting Floatraiser involves towing the vessel approximately 138 nautical miles (approximately 255 kilometers) from Fukue Port in Nagasaki Prefecture to Wakamatsu Port in Fukuoka Prefecture over the course of three days. In open-ocean conditions, “ahead towing,” in which a wire is deployed from the stern, is used. In narrow harbors, the operation switches to “astern towing,” which utilizes a bow winch to control precise movements, with two tugboats positioned fore and aft. The towing configuration is adjusted according to operating conditions. In recent years, such capabilities have also contributed to the construction of offshore wind power facilities and other green energy initiatives. 

Towage operations involving Floatraiser are also introduced in the video below.　Please take a look. (Source: YouTube channel “The Real World of Tugboats”)

Looking for maritime professionals as future colleagues: The Crew Recruitment Project 

Today, the tugboat industry is experiencing increasing demand for towage services due to the growth of offshore wind projects and the expansion and redevelopment of port infrastructure. At the same time, it faces a serious shortage of crew members caused by limited public awareness of the profession. Although tugboat crew positions offer relatively high salary levels, conventional seminars and similar initiatives have not been sufficiently effective in reaching younger generations.

To address this challenge and directly communicate the rewards of the profession to future generations, MOL Bay Links launched a recruitment project utilizing its YouTube channel, “The Real World of Tugboats.” Targeting maritime students at merchant marine colleges and fisheries schools, as well as individuals seeking career changes, the MOL Group shares the realities and enthusiasm of on-site operations rather than simply presenting information. Content ranges from YouTube Shorts answering basic questions such as “What shape is a tugboat?” to longer videos introducing the profession through “A Day in the Life of a Crew Member.”

The banner of the MOL tugboat business channel “The Real World of Tugboats” features operational scenes from the three MOL Group tugboat companies. (Source: YouTube channel “The Real World of Tugboats”)

Strong sense of mission in protecting safety at ports, and professional skills refined through daily experience - Using YouTube as a platform, we sincerely hope that new generations will be inspired to step into this rewarding world.