ACL Shipbrokers Ltd director Alec Laing and shipbroker David Biddulph will present insights and analysis on international tug markets* at this year’s ITS Convention in Dubai, UAE.

They will identify the demand hotspots as the Middle East, southeast Asia and the Americas and the emerging markets, which include nations in Africa, Latin America and the Indian subcontinent.

“We will use deep market knowledge and firsthand opinions from key players and individuals; identify the market leaders and use this to take the pulse of market and give delegates a snapshot of possible growth regions,” Mr Laing told Riviera Maritime Media.

“We will identify the regional demand hotspots, outline the LNG infrastructure boom and consider the impact of market consolidation. Our challenge is to cover the key threads and report them to the conference attendees in an engaging manner.”

He will speak about the challenges tug owners face, the outlook in regional markets, particularly the Middle East, and how tug owners in developing countries are implementing green technologies ahead of the major operators.

“Shifts in geographical power will have impacts on the global fleet,” said Mr Laing.

“Commercial owners and some state-run ports have punchy ambitions for net zero. They are looking to leapfrog developed nations in cutting port emissions. For example, India is looking to go fully electric.”