Ocean Tug-Barge Systems

The history of the use of tugs and barges in transocean and coastwise transportation is reviewed with particular reference to developments during the past 15 yrs. in the United States and Canada. The rationale of tug and barge transportation is examined, pointing out the conditions and circumstances under which it may be more efficient than the use of self-propelled vessels. The present state-of-the-art with regard to design, construction, and operations is treated leading into a discussion of forward-looking innovations with particular emphasis on current efforts to develop an effective linkage which will permit barges to be pushed in rough water rather than towed. The advantages of pushing over towing are examined. An effort is made to predict the direction in which ocean tug-barge technology will move in the next few years.