Tug Malta is the only licensed company that carries out vessel towing operations within and between the harbours of the Maltese Islands. Photographer Ben Borg Cardona spent a day with Tug Malta Limited to find out what these operations actually involve from a seaman’s point of view. Operations carried out that day included assisting container ships and oil tankers into the Marsaxlokk Freeport and Oiltanking terminal.

Tug Malta’s fleet

Six tugs

Pawlina, four crew, 353 tonnes with a bollard pull of 67 tonnes.

Wenzina, four crew, 207 tonnes with a bollard pull of 68 tonnes.

Mari, five crew, 295 tonnes with a bollard pull of 47 tonnes.

Lieni, five crew, 267 tonnes with a bollard pull of 35 tonnes.

Felica, five crew, 225 tonnes with a bollard pull of 32 tonnes.

Sea Salvor, five crew, 323 tonnes with a bollard pull of 55 tonnes.

TUG Malta always has two manned tugs on standby at Marsaxlokk Harbour, operating on 12 hour shifts. One vessel is also manned at all hours at the company’s Marsa base in Grand Harbour. The tugs also act as fire fighting or salvage vessels if a ship finds herself in distress. On average, Tug Malta assists 11 vessels every 24 hours.