A swing into tradition

As ever, the BTA’s Annual Golf Competition teed things off the day before the conference, with members gathering at The Royal Belfast Golf Club for the Sir William Crosthwaite Cup. With sunshine, camaraderie, and the occasional wayward shot, the event combined sport with networking, strengthening bonds across the towage sector. Congratulations to Matthew Flaxington of Targe Towing on claiming the 2025 title, and a special thanks to Sanmar for their sponsorship.

A warm welcome in Belfast

The BTA was honoured to be hosted by Joe O’Neill, CEO of Belfast Harbour, who opened the conference with reflection on the port’s historic legacy and its forward-looking investment in green infrastructure, including a £90 million deep-water quay development and a pledge towards carbon neutrality. His remarks set the tone for a conference grounded in pride, progress, and partnership.

Newly appointed BTA Chair Mike Paterson of Svitzer then welcomed delegates and called for greater collaboration across the maritime community including pilots, stevedores, shipyards, and beyond. He advocated for the industry to engage in the “difficult conversations” needed to strengthen emergency response preparedness and meet environmental goals head-on.

Mike Kane MP, the UK’s Maritime Minister, provided a prerecorded address to the conference, congratulating the BTA on reaching the milestone of 90 years and stressing the vital role of towage in the UK economy. Mike highlighted the importance of decarbonisation for the small vessel sector, and reaffirmed government commitment to seafarer training and careers to build a safer, fairer and more inclusive maritime sector.

The Minister said: 

Maritime is the heartbeat of the UK economy; it is the activity that keeps everything else moving. This is a 24/7 operation in all weathers and conditions, making sure ships can move, ports stay open, and goods keep flowing. None of that would happen without the towage sector – your work is fundamental to the safety and reliability of our maritime system.

Maritime resilience and reform

A strong theme throughout the day was the growing importance of resilience, both in operations and regulation. Virginia McVea, CEO of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), commended the heroic efforts of towage crews responding to the recent North Sea incident, and called for sector input into the UK’s Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy, especially for vessels under 400 GT, which make up a significant portion of the UK flagged fleet.

Virginia was joined by MCA Chief Examiner Ajit Jacob, who provided an update on seafarer training reforms. He introduced changes to the Restricted Certificate of Competency (CoC), including greater use of simulators to supplement sea time, an important step forward in modernising training while maintaining high standards.

Both Virginia and Ajit sought to congratulate the next generation of the profession, presenting Alex Jones of Svitzer with the BTA Tug Trainee of the Year Award for his dedication and successful career transition into the industry.

Innovation and the future of tug design

Erik van Schaik of Damen Shipyards shared some of the most forward-thinking developments in tug design, focusing on fuel flexibility and regulatory adaptability. He showcased models such as the ASD Tug 1810, 2111, and 2312, capable of operating under 200 GT, and discussed the challenges of alternative fuels, from energy density to safety considerations.

His presentation served as a timely reminder of how evolving technology, paired with smart regulation, will be crucial to the future viability and sustainability of towage operations.

Meanwhile, a highlight for many was the presentation of the BTA Lifetime Achievement Award to Robert Allan, whose name has become synonymous with excellence in naval architecture. In his remarks, made via video link, Robert paid tribute to his team and reaffirmed his commitment to pushing the industry forward through safe and effective design.

Strengthening the legal framework for towage

The day also saw an insightful panel led by Nick Dorman (Targe Towing), alongside Rob Shearer and Alex McCooke of Shipowners' P&I, addressing the long-overdue revision of the UK Standard Conditions of Towage. With the last major update dating back to 1974, the revised framework aims to modernise contractual clarity and reduce operational risk, supporting more resilient, insurable towage operations.

Launching new guidance on tug firefighting

In a significant development for both shore and onboard teams, the BTA Technical Committee used the event to officially launch the Use of Tugs in Firefighting Guide.

Presented by Alasdair Smith and supported by experts including SOSREP Stephan Henning and Geert Vandecappelle of Boluda, the guide provides clear, practical advice on everything from command structures and risk assessment to training and communication during marine firefighting operations. 

You can find out more about the guide and download it here. 

Looking ahead with pride and purpose

As the conference drew to a close, Mike Paterson reflected on the themes that had emerged, decarbonisation, resilience, preparedness, and the critical role of towage in the UK’s maritime ecosystem. The day ended with a celebratory dinner at the Titanic Belfast Museum, where Ajit Jacob was recognised as BTA Tug Personality of the Year for his outstanding contribution to maritime education.

We are grateful to our sponsors: Damen Shipyards (Conference Sponsor), Uzmar Shipyards (Dinner Sponsor), and Sanmar Shipyards (Golf Sponsor), and the energy we received from an engaged and enthusiastic community of delegates, speakers, and organisers.

A full event report is available on the BTA website here.