Founded in 1934, the British Tugowners Association represents the interests of port towage operators from large corporates to smaller privately-owned companies in addition to a number of Port and Council Authorities. BTA members’ tug fleets cover ports handling 90% of Britain’s sea-borne trade including all of the leading ports.
IN PARVIS POTESTAS – Power in Smallness
The members of the BTA operate more than 180 tugs in over 45 ports from Plymouth to the Shetland Islands, Felixstowe to Belfast, employing more than one thousand highly-skilled seafarers.
Core to its activity, however, is to improve safety in the industry by spreading best practice and striving to achieve a sound framework of training and certification.
The BTA has for many years benefitted from a close relationship with the UK Chamber of Shipping, with the Secretariat of the BTA long being carried out by the UK Chamber.
This relationship were further cemented in April 2018, when to ensure its longevity and ongoing strength, the BTA formally became a part of the UK Chamber of Shipping, thereby extending the offering to BTA members of the full suite of Chamber benefits, including expert policy advice, enhanced access to regulators and a stronger voice.
Tug-operating members of the BTA are full members of the Chamber and hence may participate in the full range of Chamber committees, panels, seminars and networking events. The full range of Chamber benefits may be viewed here.
The relationship strengthens the voice of the BTA with UK Government, providing direct access and representation to European and International regulatory development via the Chamber’s membership of the European Community of Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), collaboration with the European Tugowners Association (ETA) and attendance at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Officers of the British Tugowners Association
- Chairman: Mike Paterson, Svitzer
- Vice Chairman: Geert Vandecappelle
- Honorary President: Tom Woolley, Targe Towing
- Secretary: Robert Merrylees, UK Chamber of Shipping
“Safety in operation is the prime focus of the BTA, where committees address all issues of safe towage, liaising with legislators, policy makers, port operators and constructors to help determine regulation and best practice. Furthermore, as a competent industry body, the voice of the BTA is heard and respected by those parties.
The BTA engages in many other areas of our industry – training and education, port and pilot liaison, vessel design, HR and inter-organisation working groups to name a few.
Membership affords the opportunity to meet and discuss the operation of our industry with representatives from the majority of UK towage companies, at regular operational meetings and an Annual Safety Seminar.”
Groupings of the Association
The BTA has a number of groupings in which its members sit to represent and support the interests of the towage industry.
- Executive Committee – grouping to provide strategic leadership and direction to the Association
- Technical Committee – the “engine room” of the Association, taking a lead on developing guidance, publications and policy work
- Harbour Towage Panel – a UK Chamber of Shipping grouping, open to all BTA and Chamber members for broad policy discussion and engagement across all regulatory areas (safety, employment & training, environment, fiscal etc.)
Composition of the Executive Committee (as of 7 May 2025)
Mike Paterson (Chair) (Svitzer Marine Ltd)
Geert Vandecappelle (Vice Chair) (Boluda Towage Europe Ltd)
Scott Baker (Svitzer Marine Ltd)
Richard Brooks (Williams Shipping Ltd)
Nick Dorman (Targe Towing Ltd)
Phil Dulson (Boluda Towage Europe Ltd)
John Greenspan (Serco Marine Ltd)
Alan McPherson (Forth Ports Ltd)
Alasdair Smith (Targe Towing Ltd)
Composition of the Technical Committee (as of 10 August 2025)
Alasdair Smith (Chair) (Targe Towing Ltd
James Evans (Vice Chair) (Boluda)
Scott Baker (Svitzer Marine)
Richard Brooks (Williams Shipping)
Luke Hedges (Port of Dover)
David Hopwood (Shetland Islands Council Towage)
Kimmo Lehto (ETA NTC Chair) (Alfons Hakans)
Nick Jeffery (Honorary)
Ronald Keuning (Boluda)
Mike Paterson (Svitzer Marine)
Members/stakeholders with an interest in knowing more about the groupings of the Association may contact the BTA Secretary.