Tug Network Team , the alliance of independent towage operators launched in the Americas in 2024, has expanded into Europe with the addition of Fairplay Towage. The move gives the network a global footprint of 113 ports across 13 countries and a combined fleet of over 200 tugs.

With this addition, TNT expands beyond the Americas by adding a substantial European operator to a network set up to give shipowners and operators broader access to independent towage services. TNT was originally formed by Group Ocean, Sulnorte and CPT Towage, with the aim to strengthen regional cooperation, exchange best practices and build a stronger independent proposition for customers across the Americas.

Fairplay Towage brings a well-established European platform to that model. The Hamburg-headquartered group operates in 24 European ports with a fleet of over 100 modern tugs and draws on more than 120 years of maritime experience. Its presence covers key ports in Germany, the Baltics, Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Richard Penning, Head of Global Sales & Growth Strategy at Fairplay Towage, believes in the strength of this strategic alliance: “Joining Tug Network Team gives Fairplay a stronger international platform while keeping independent towage at its core. By linking well-positioned regional operators, we can offer customers broader reach, local expertise and a more joined-up service across key port regions.”

Jean-Philippe Brunet, Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs and Partnerships for Group Ocean and Tug Network Team Chairman said: “Fairplay’s entry is an important step for the alliance. It extends Tug Network Team into Europe and strengthens our offer to customers looking for dependable towage support across multiple regions. It also underlines the value of an independent network at a time when choice in the towage market matters.”

With Fairplay on board, Tug Network Team adds European reach to its existing presence in the Americas, giving shipowners, operators and charterers broader access to coordinated towage support through a network of independent providers.