Author: Nicole de Jong

A quiet dawn still hangs over the Neumühlen tug pier. The Elbe gleams a lead grey, seagulls circle over the securely moored boats, and coffee steams in the small galley. Then comes a ‘ping’ – the next assignment has arrived. For the crew of the ‘Fairplay-95’, the day has begun. Their task: assist in guiding the ‘Marie Maersk’, a 400-metre container ship slowly approaching the Port of Hamburg.

Due to the size of the container giant, three tugs were requested. The ‘Fairplay-95’ takes its position at the bow, and alongside stands its sister ship, the ‘Fairplay-96’ ready to push if needed, while the ‘Fairplay XI’ positions itself at the ship’s stern to control the enormous vessel’s mass and stabilise it against currents and the wind. “The Water Police are also present, securing the channel while we turn the ‘Marie Maersk’ into the port,” explains Andree Hessling, Associate Head of Marine Asset Management Newbuild & Innovation at the Fairplay Towage Group.

The operation proceeds as planned, coordinated via a central operations portal, where dispatchers manage the movements of the shipping companies. ‘In the past, we had to make numerous phone calls; today everything is done digitally and in real time. It makes coordination much faster and safer,’ says Hessling. The dispatchers are the invisible command centre, directing the tugs like pieces on a game board: who moves when, where, and at what speed? Everything must be just right – and it all depends on the tide and weather.

The starting point is usually opposite Airbus in Finkenwerder. There, among industrial facilities and pilot boats, the crew awaits the signal. Three people are on board: the captain, an engineer, and a seaman – on this day accompanied by an intern learning the ropes as an aspiring marine mechanic. The main crew lives on the tug for two weeks at a time, followed by two weeks off. That is the routine: full readiness around the clock, then rest – only exceptional or emergency situations break the rhythm.

The ‘Fairplay-95’ is a modern high-performance tug of the Fairplay Towage Group and has been operating in the Port of Hamburg since 2023. At 25 metres long, with 6,700 hp and a bollard pull of 80 tonnes, it is among the most powerful of its kind. It is extremely manoeuvrable – ideal for the precise handling of large container and cruise ships. Its sister ship, the ‘Fairplay-96’, is identical, while the ‘Fairplay XI’ is an older model with a comparatively higher engine output of 8,100 hp, a 90-tonne bollard pull, and a hybrid drive.

As soon as the ship approaches, the harbour pilots take command. The tugs are directed via radio, with instructions that are short and precise: ‘Make fast’ – ‘Cast off!’ – ‘Quarter ahead.’ Only well-oiled teams know exactly what to do: the heavy lines are thrown over; the ‘Marie Maersk’ begins to turn slowly and precisely – it is to be drawn backwards into the Waltershofer Hafen. The manoeuvre ends at the Eurogate terminal, where the ship is to be unloaded. The tugs then withdraw – until the next assignment, either elsewhere in the port or when the ‘Marie Maersk’ heads back down the Elbe and out to the open sea.

This is everyday life for the crew, but not one that tolerates routine. Weather conditions can change suddenly, and deployments can come at any hour, day or night. Strong wind? From wind force 6 onwards, ships the size of the ‘Marie Maersk’ face a navigation ban. Fog? That extends the approach time. Despite the latest technology, the work remains hands-on – rough, demanding, often intuitive. Captains must master more than just steering; they must lead, radiate calm, and sense the dynamics at play in towing – almost like a dancer anticipating their partner’s movements.

Nautical skill and technical competence are not enough. Equally important are experience, composure, and team spirit. ‘A nervous captain passes his unease to the whole ship,’ says Hessling. ‘That can be dangerous.’ He speaks from experience, having spent many years working on tugs. The work is built on team spirit and reliability. On board, there is a sense of camaraderie, as the crew works closely together. ‘The team sticks together like family. Without trust, nothing works,’ confirms crew member Jörn Kessener.