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)
SCT Shekou
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. and Tokyo Kisen Co. Ltd. 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.”
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 sucessfully.
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 sucessfully.
Jun 27, 2023
South China Towing’s first 6,000BHP tugboat ” SCT Shekou” built at Hin Lee (Zhuhai) Shipyard Co Ltd. was delivery and commissioned.
Feb 1, 2019
SCT announces Thomas Li will be successing Erica Lew as the Finance & Administration Manager.
Oct 14, 2018
SCT announces Ronald Wai will be promote to the Senior Manager, Technical and Operations, in succession of the role and responsibility of Capt. Wu.
May 1, 2017
SCT announces Jacka Ho as General Manager effective 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 attained ISO 14001 certification, which it pledged to provide better service to its customers as well as commit to protect the environment.
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.
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. It has since expanded its tug fleet to nine.
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.
1991
In 1991 our service was extended to coastal towage and we were awarded the contract to tow a 3,500 DWT cargo vessel from the Western Anchorage, Hong Kong harbour to Wen Chong Shipyard at Huangpu, PRC, and to tow a dredger, which had sustained bow damage, from outside Macau waters back to the territory waters. And we were also engaged in a number of jobs for towing vessels which had encountered engine problems, from a distance of about 100 nautical miles outside HK waters back to the territory waters.
1988
On 9th March 1988, “USS Peleliu LHA 5”, Tarawa-class assault ship was escorting by tug Suzhou while entering Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong.
At the same day, “USS Peleliu LHA 5” was assisted by tugs ‘Shantou’, ‘Suzhou’ and ‘Lilivia’ in safe Victoria Harbor.
1987
On 13th March 1987, “South China Towing Co. Ltd.” was established.
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