The use of tugs to assist a vessel during manoeuvring in confined waters, berthing, and unberthing operations. The number and power of tugs required depends on the vessel's size, the berth configuration, weather conditions, and port regulations.
Category: Port & Terminal Operations
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QuayA solid structure built parallel to the shoreline where vessels berth for loading and discharging cargo.StevedoreA company or individual responsible for the loading and discharging of cargo from vessels in port.STS CraneShip-to-Shore crane, a type of gantry crane specifically designed for loading and discharging containers between vessels and the quay.TerminalA specialised facility within a port designed for the handling of a specific type of cargo or vessel.VTSVessel Traffic Service, a shore-based monitoring system that provides active traffic management of vessel movements within a port or waterway.WharfA structure built along the waterfront for the berthing and servicing of vessels, similar to a quay but sometimes including the warehouse and open storage areas behind the berthing face.
Back to DictionaryEntry updated May 2026