Evaluation of Harbour Towage Operations and Safety in Port Harcourt Port

Harbour towage operations are essential to the safe manoeuvring of large commercial vessels within the restricted waters of ports, and failures in towage can lead to significant maritime accidents. This study evaluates the conduct and safety performance of harbour towage operations at Port Harcourt Port, Rivers State. A descriptive case study design was adopted, with primary data collected through interviews with twenty harbour pilots, tug masters, and port operations officers, supplemented by review of tug operational logs and incident reports from the Nigerian Ports Authority for the period 2019 to 2024. The study evaluates tug power adequacy relative to the vessel tonnage served, communication protocols between tugs and assisted vessels, and crew training standards. Findings indicate that the tug fleet available at Port Harcourt is ageing, with average equipment age exceeding twenty-two years, and that the bollard pull capacity of available tugs is frequently marginal for the post-Panamax vessels now calling at the port following ongoing berth expansion. Communication between tug masters and vessel bridges is identified as a recurring challenge, particularly during night operations. Three towage-related incidents resulting in minor vessel damage to berth structures were recorded during the study period. Recommendations include fleet renewal with higher-capacity tugs, mandatory towage communication protocol training, and development of a Port Harcourt-specific towage regulations framework. Keywords: harbour towage, Port Harcourt, tug operations, bollard pull, port safety