Fairplay acquires German pusher tug owner

Fairplay Towage Group has acquired all the shares in ElbClearing, which owns service vessels in Stade, northern Germany, including pusher tugs.

The Hamburg-headquartered group said this acquisition enhances its position in the Elbe estuary, as it already operates vessels in the nearby harbour of Bützfleth and a fleet of ship-assist tugs in the main city port.

Fairplay said this acquisition “marks a significant step in the long-standing partnership” it already had with ElbClearing, which started operations in Stade in October 1972 when Dow Chemicals started its business in the port.

ElbClearing operates two vessels, a 21-m pusher tugboat and 36-m workboat and cargo ferry, in Stade.

The next move for Fairplay is to station modern tugboats in Stade to support its operations in Bützfleth including an emergency towing vessel similar to Fairplay-35, which already supports ships in the estuary.

“By creating additional synergies on the Elbe, the safety and efficiency of towing services in this important waterway will be significantly improved,” said Fairplay.

Fairplay Towage managing director, Philip-Alexander Harmstorf said Stade is “crucial for reliably servicing the Elbe from Hamburg through Brunsbüttel to Cuxhaven.”