Robert Allan Ltd is a main partner of International Tug & Salvage (ITS) Convention, Exhibition & Awards 2024 and provides immensely important services and solutions to the tug and towage sector

Major designer of tugs, offshore support vessels, inland vessels and emergency response and salvage ships, Robert Allan Ltd reported 88 vessels to its designs were delivered to owners worldwide by shipyards in 2023. Eighty-seven tugboats were completed in 15 different shipyards in nine countries with a total combined bollard pull of over 6,000 tonnes and almost 400 MW of installed power.

In 2023, the naval architecture business passed a milestone as it became officially carbon neutral.

ITS asked Robert Allan Ltd president and chief executive Mike Fitzpatrick a series of questions concerning his views on the latest trends in tugboat design and construction and what the company will be providing delegates of the ITS Convention 2024 in Dubai, in May.

What do you see as the major trends or developments shaping the future of the global tug and salvage industry?

Maritime decarbonisation and a focus on environmental impact is an important step-change for the industry which is impacting design and operational decisions.

This brings with it the need to create operational efficiencies within tugs fleets and the significant data capturing and analysis efforts underway will assist in supporting future innovations.

The mariners on board should not be forgotten and are key in the adoption of new technologies while upholding the key culture of continuous safety improvement.

Do you have any exciting announcements, updates, or case studies to share with the tug and salvage community?

ITS Convention will be an important venue to showcase the lessons learned and operational feedback from the design and operation of the newest series of green tugs and spread that knowledge within the industry.

Robert Allan designed an escort and emergency response tug ready to use methanol fuel for Kotug Canada (source: Robert Allan Ltd)

What are the key elements of the technical paper Robert Allan Ltd will present during the three-day ITS 2024 conference?

The paper being presented at ITS will share results from extensive trials, in-service operations, and crew feedback and highlight the immense potential of battery-electric tugs in helping to move the industry forward to a more sustainable future.

This paper will review the collected data and imagery from these trials, tests and in-operation experiences to share an exclusive view into the transformational opportunities that battery-electric tugs create to reduce emissions, reduce noise levels on board and radiated underwater while improving performance and living conditions on board.

Why did your company decide to sponsor this international event? What are you hoping to achieve?

ITS Convention has, and continues to be, the key forum that brings together key industry players: owners, shipyards, designers, equipment suppliers and regulators. As always, we look forward to ITS 2024 as an opportunity to continue discussions with our clients, both shipyards and operators, those we have decades-long relationships and new entrants to the market.

The 27th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards will be held in association with Caterpillar in Dubai, UAE, 21-23 May 2024. Use this link for more details of this industry event and the associated social and networking opportunities; and this link to book your ticket for the exhibition, social gatherings and awards night.

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Svitzer and Robert Allan's TRAnsverse tug design will help owners reduce their environmental footprint (source: Svitzer)

Svitzer and Robert Allan's TRAnsverse tug design will help owners reduce their environmental footprint (source: Robert Allan Ltd)