The tugboat Peter operates in the Port of Hamburg, one of the busiest in the world. With only three crewmembers onboard – the captain, chief engineer, and deckhand – this vessel is a vital link in the transport chain, helping to ensure that over 100 million tons of seaborne cargo reaches its destination safely every year.

Fritz Ibendahl has been a captain in the Port of Hamburg for thirty years. During his time there, the port has changed quite a bit: ultra-large container vessels have been calling with increasing frequency, giving rise to a demand for more powerful tugs that can manage them. With a bollard pull of 70 tonnes, Peter is one of those tugs, commissioned specifically to be able to assist ultra-large vessels – and Fritz has been its captain since it first arrived in Hamburg, six years ago.

The hallmark of a capable tug is its ability to both respond and take control quickly. This requires a super-efficient and experienced crew that is comfortable navigating through tight spaces, as well as ultra-responsive engines that deliver plenty of power. The container ships, cruise ships, and bulk carriers that rely on Peter for help can be between 300 and 400 meters long – at least twelve times the length of the twenty-five-foot tug. But despite its humble size, Peter is one of the strongest tugs in Hamburg.