About Us

Setting standards in towage, backed by over a century of experience.

#STRONGCONNECTION

#FAIRPLAY TOWAGE GROUP

More Than 120 Years Of Experience With Tugboats

The FAIRPLAY TOWAGE GROUP is one of Europe’s leading tug and towage companies, operating out of Hamburg and with offices throughout Europe. With over 120 years of experience, we offer assistance to seagoing vessels in ports as well as offshore and salvage services worldwide. By joining forces with Bugsier-Reederei in 2017, which was founded back in 1866, we have even added a few decades of experience and know-how to our own history.

We specialize in long-distance towing services for oil rigs, jack-ups and FPSO units in Europe. Combining innovation and maritime expertise, our vessels have carried out major operations such as the Suez Canal clearance in the past. Our emergency tugs, the NORDIC and BALTIC, secured the German Bight from 2011 to 2021. Today, the NORDIC is stationed off Helgoland in the North Sea and the BALTIC off Kühlungsborn in the Baltic Sea. The FAIRPLAY-35 is also stationed as an emergency tug in Stade on the Elbe.

About Us And Our Certifications

Welcome to FAIRPLAY TOWAGE GROUP, a trusted leader in maritime services with a strong focus on certifications. Since 1998, we’ve upheld ISO 9001 for quality management, followed by ISO 14001 for environmental sustainability in 2006, ISO 50001 for energy management in 2011, and ISO 45001 for occupational safety in 2023. These certifications reflect our dedication to delivering top-tier services while prioritizing environmental care, energy efficiency, and the well-being of our teams. Our offshore tugs meet OVID standards, ensuring compliance with the highest industry requirements.

About Us

Pioneering A Low-Emission Future

At Fairplay Towage Group, we are dedicated to sustainability and advancing greener maritime solutions. As the first German shipping company to implement ISO 50001 for energy management, we strive to set new standards in environmental responsibility. 

Sustainability

Birth Hour

FAIRPLAY founded in Hamburg

1905

Entering Offshore

FAIRPLAY enters the emerging offshore market with offshore tugs and diving barges

1960–1969

New Markets in Rotterdam

FAIRPLAY offers its services in Rotterdam

1998

Mooring in Bremerhaven

BUGSIER Mooring Services starts operations in Bremerhaven

2002

Joint Venture in Antwerp

ANTWERP TOWAGE N.V. begins harbor towing services as a joint venture with MULTRASHIP

2008

United Under One Name

All FAIRPLAY activities in Poland are carried out under the name FAIRPLAY TOWAGE Polska

2015

A New Identity

Re-branding of all FAIRPLAY activities under the name FAIRPLAY TOWAGE Group, ordering of various new harbor tugs, and introduction of the slogan #strongconnection for increased visibility and identification

2022

Pioneering Maritime Services

Fairplay continues to expand its services and adopt cutting-edge technologies, ensuring it remains a leader in the tugboat and maritime support industry in Europe.

2024

1930

A Family Legacy

Early death of company founder Richard Borchard, followed by the takeover of the company by his wife Lucy Borchard and his son Kurt

1990

Expansion to Rostock

FAIRPLAY opens a location in Rostock

2001

Emergency Response

Charter contracts for two emergency tugs are concluded by the German government for ARGE Küstenschutz

2006

Growth in Poland

FAIRPLAY takes over Port Zegluga in Szczecin, Poland, and offers harbor towage services – later expanding to locations in Świnoujście and Gdynia

2010–2011

Emergency Tugs in Action

Commissioning of the emergency tugs BALTIC & NORDIC

2017

Acquisition of BUGSIER

Acquisition of the traditional tugboat company BUGSIER

2023

Innovation for the Future

Establishment of the Newbuild & Innovation department for implementing transformation processes, fleet expansion with five state-of-the-art tugs, and development of a sustainable decarbonization strategy.

With roots dating back to 1905

, the FAIRPLAY TOWAGE Group has grown into one of Europe’s leading maritime service providers, blending tradition with innovation.

----- Our History -----

Tradition Since 1905

Birth Hour

1905

FAIRPLAY founded in Hamburg

1930

A Family Legacy

Early death of company founder Richard Borchard, followed by the takeover of the company by his wife Lucy Borchard and his son Kurt

1960–1969

Entering Offshore

FAIRPLAY enters the emerging offshore market with offshore tugs and diving barges

1990

Expansion to Rostock

FAIRPLAY opens a location in Rostock

1998

New Markets in Rotterdam

FAIRPLAY offers its services in Rotterdam

2001

Emergency Response

Charter contracts for two emergency tugs are concluded by the German government for ARGE Küstenschutz

2002

Mooring in Bremerhaven

BUGSIER Mooring Services starts operations in Bremerhaven

2006

Growth in Poland

FAIRPLAY takes over Port Zegluga in Szczecin, Poland, and offers harbor towage services – later expanding to locations in Świnoujście and Gdynia

2008

Joint Venture in Antwerp

ANTWERP TOWAGE N.V. begins harbor towing services as a joint venture with MULTRASHIP

2010–2011

Emergency Tugs in Action

Commissioning of the emergency tugs BALTIC & NORDIC

2015

United Under One Name

All FAIRPLAY activities in Poland are carried out under the name FAIRPLAY TOWAGE Polska

2017

Acquisition of BUGSIER

Acquisition of the traditional tugboat company BUGSIER

2022

A New Identity

Re-branding of all FAIRPLAY activities under the name FAIRPLAY TOWAGE Group, ordering of various new harbor tugs, and introduction of the slogan #strongconnection for increased visibility and identification

2023

Innovation for the Future

Establishment of the Newbuild & Innovation department for implementing transformation processes, fleet expansion with five state-of-the-art tugs, and development of a sustainable decarbonization strategy.

2024

Pioneering Maritime Services

Fairplay continues to expand its services and adopt cutting-edge technologies, ensuring it remains a leader in the tugboat and maritime support industry in Europe.

With roots dating back to 1905

, the FAIRPLAY TOWAGE Group has grown into one of Europe’s leading maritime service providers, blending tradition with innovation.

----- Our History -----

Tradition Since 1905