Hamburg tug life

The tugboat Peter operates in the Port of Hamburg, one of the busiest in the world. With only three crewmembers on board – 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: larger and larger ships 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 the new mega-container ships – and Fritz has been the tug’s captain since it first arrived in Hamburg in 2008.

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 and bulk carriers that rely on Peter for help can be over 300 meters long – 12 times the length of the 25-meter tug. But despite its humble size, Peter is one of the strongest tugs in Hamburg.

"The hallmark of a capable tug is its ability to both respond and take control quickly.”