Photo Source: CLP Group & SASAC
South China Towing
South China Towing serves the global shipping industry with six state-of–the-art tugs in Hong Kong. With a wealth of knowledge and experience accumulated over the past 30 years, South China Towing prides itself in providing safe and reliable towage service in Hong Kong, one of the world’s most efficient ports.
South China Towing is equipped with a fleet of 4,000, 5,000 and 6,000 horsepower tugs and it is capable to handle the world’s biggest ships, FSRU, LNGC ships which surpass 20,000 TEU, or LOA 400 meters.
Tug Fleet
| Name | Gross Tons | Horsepower | Towing Force (T) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCTShekou | 496 | 6000 | 81.85 |
| SUZHOU | 393 | 5000 | 65.5 |
| SHENYANG | 397 | 5000 | 67.8 |
| GUANGZHOU | 278 | 4000 | 53 |
| SHANGHAI | 286 | 4000 | 55 |
| GUILIN | 333 | 4000 | 53 |
About Us
South China Towing is a joint venture formed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Tokyo Kisen Co. Ltd. and Sembawang Towing Company Private Limited in 1987. South China Towing provides harbour and coastal towage services to ships calling at Hong Kong. In addition, its services include deep-sea towage, salvage support, marine consultancy, ship management and shipping agency.
South China Towing is well-placed in delivering cost-effective while safe and reliable towage service to its customer. Experienced shore staff and crew and a modern fleet of tugs are the key to South China Towing’s success. Confidently, South China Towing has reached a level where “You name a tow, we supply the vessels and expertise.”
Video Source: CLP Group
Services
South China Towing provides round-the-clock response to meet the wide ranging and diverse needs of its clients.
News and Notices
- Feb 24, 2026
- South China Towing handled ship-to-ship Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Bunkering in Hong Kong at South Cheung Chau Anchorage successfully.
- Dec 23, 2025
- South China Towing became a joint venture of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Tokyo Kisen Co. Ltd.
- Dec 10, 2025
- South China Towing hosted an opening ceremony to mark the establishment of its new pontoon.
- Sep 5, 2025
- South China Towing laid the new pontoon in Gin Drinkers Bay.
- Jun 5, 2025
- South China Towing became the first tug operator handling ship-to-ship Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Bunkering in Hong Kong at Kwai Chung Container Terminal successfully.
- Jun 27, 2023
- South China Towing’s first 6,000 BHP tugboat ” SCT Shekou” built at Hin Lee (Zhuhai) Shipyard Co Ltd. was delivered and commissioned.
- Feb 1, 2019
- SCT announced Thomas Li was succeeded Erica Lew as the Finance & Administration Manager.
- Oct 14, 2018
- SCT announces Ronald Wai was promoted to the Senior Manager, Technical and Operations, in succession of the role and responsibility of Capt. Wu.
- May 1, 2017
- SCT announced Jacka Ho as General Manager effective from May 1, 2017.
- Apr 21, 2017
- SCT celebrated its 30th Anniversary at Hong Kong Maritime Museum.
- Jul 16, 2015
- South China Towing’s second 5,000 BHP tugboat “Suzhou” built at Odo Shipyard, Japan, was delivered and commissioned.
- Apr 30, 2014
- South China Towing achieved ISO 14001 certification and strived to protecting the environment while enhacing customer service.
- Aug 1, 2013
- South China Towing adopted the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System.
- May 1, 2013
- The 5,000 BHP new building tug “Shenyang” was delivered and commissioned.
- Aug 6, 2012
- SCT signed a new building contract with Hong Kong’s Cheoy Lee Shipyard to construct a 4,000 BHP tug.
- May 5, 2012
- SCT JV Company in Fangchenggang Guangxi province took delivery of its fourth 4,000 BHP new build tug, bringing its fleet strength to seven vessels.
- Apr 11, 2012
- SCT celebrated its 25th Anniversary at the Mariners’ Club.
- Dec 16, 2011
- SCT signed building contract with Cheoy Lee Shipyard for construction of one unit 5,000 BHP tugboat scheduled for delivery 17 March 2013.
- May 18, 2010
- SCT took delivery of one unit 4,000 BHP Harbour/Deepsea new building tug making its fleet to six numbers.
- Apr 7, 2007
- SCT celebrated her 20th Anniversary.
- Mar 13, 2002
- SCT celebrated her 15th Anniversary.
- Nov 21, 1997
- SCT celebrated her 10th Anniversary.
- Jun 2, 1987
- SCT launched her official opening cocktail event.
Quality and Environment
Besides contributing to marine environment conservation, the South China Towing adopted an environmental management system that enables it to reduce its environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency. As a result, South China Towing acquired the ISO 14001:2015 certification.
International Tug Network
South China Towing set up its first joint venture company, Beibu Gulf Towing (Fang Cheng Gang) Co Ltd, in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) with the Port Authority of Fang Cheng Gang in Guangxi, China. On January 1, 2004, Beibu Gulf Towing (Fang Cheng Gang) Co Ltd commenced its towage operations with three high-performance tugs at Fang Cheng Gang. By 2025, it has expanded its fleet to 12 tug boats.
Milestones
2026
Ship-to-ship Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering was handled at South Cheung Chau Anchorage in Hong Kong.
2025
New Pontoon was laid in Gin Drinkers Bay.
The first tug operator to achieve ship-to-ship Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering in Hong Kong successfully carried out the operation at Kwai Chung Container Terminal.
2023
First 6,000-HP tug “SCT Shekou” was built and added to South China Towing’s tug fleet.
2018
First Hong Kong Z-Tech model 4,000-HP tug “Gullin” was built and added to South China Towing’s tug fleet.
2013
First 5,000-HP tug “Shenyang” was built and added to South China Towing’s tug fleet.
2002
First 4,000-HP tug “Shunde” was built and added to South China Towing’s tug fleet.
2000
On February 5, 2000, tug “Shanwei” was engaged to spray water and hoist banner for the Sino Land ceremony in Victoria Harbour to promote the Island Resort.
1998
MT Shantou was engaged to perform two deep-sea towage jobs and to tow a cable laying barge from HK to Shanghai and a 140-metre dredger from Hong Kong to Laem Chabang, Thailand.
1995
In 1995, operations expanded into providing tug assistance to infrastructure development projects such as the reclamation of the Kowloon West, and the construction of Kap Shui Mun Bridge and the famous Tsing-Ma Bridge, the world’s biggest suspension bridge of its day.
1992
In December 1992, South China Towing expanded into offshore operations, providing towage services for ship-to-ship transfer outside Hong Kong waters.
Links
- Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL)
- http://www.mol.co.jp/en/index.html
- Tokyo Kisen Co., Ltd
- http://www.tokyokisen.co.jp/
- Marine Department,
The Government of the Hong Kong SAR - http://www.info.gov.hk/mardep
- Hong Kong Pilots Association Ltd.
- http://www.hkpilots.com
- Bureau Veritas
- http://www.bureauveritas.com
Contact Us
Postal address
Unit 3203-06, Singga Commercial Centre
148 Connaught Road West
Hong Kong
Telephone no.
(852) 2548 5205
Fax no.
(852) 2858 2641
sctugs@southchinatowing.com.hk
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