August 2, 2010

The following guidelines have been developed to determine adequate tug assistance for docking and undocking in the Port of Houston. Similar docks have been grouped and coupled with vessel size and draft information. Assist tugs are then designated by the circumstances of the docking or undocking maneuver. Tugs are categorized by “bollard pull” as provided by area operators. Bollard pull is used rather than horsepower to rate tugs effectiveness. Additionally, the tug’s design type, tractor or conventional has a definite bearing on effectiveness and desirability.




Vessel LOA Thruster Horsepower
More than 900’ 2,500
More than 900' (Bayport and Barbours Cut Only) 2,400
751' - 900' 2,000
551' - 750' 980
451' - 550' 730
350' - 450' 400
Less than 350' 200



ZTECH can substitute for any class
T can substitute for S, M or L
L can substitute for S or M
M can substitute for S except arrivals less than 30’

Bow thruster substitutes for smallest tug

Vessels with a beam greater than 145’ must have a minimum of two tractor (T) tugs.

Thrusters must meet the following minimum requirement of available horsepower to substitute for a tug. (1 KW equals 1.35 HP)




Class Ahead Astern
S (Small; compact) 35,000 20,000
M (Medium; diamond class) 60,000 45,000
L (Large; twin-screws) 85,000 55,000
T (Tractor) 100,000 90,000
Z (ZTECH) 160,000 150,000



As always any vessel specific concerns should be discussed with the Houston Pilots because the ultimate decision falls to the pilot. Ships and the waters in which they operate represent a dynamic, ever-changing environment. Firm rules addressing every possible scenario are not possible. The individual pilot on board is best situated to evaluate the specific docking and/or undocking evolution contemplated by the vessel and the prevailing weather, current, and traffic situation affecting the vessel. These guidelines are recommendations only. It is recognized that the on-scene discretion of the pilot and master should not be hindered. The following guidelines regarding tug assistance for docking and undocking are in no way intended to limit, hinder, or override the on-scene discretion of the pilot. We realize that there will be situations where actions that conflict with these recommendations may be necessary to address specific situations or special circumstances that confront a specific vessel. Further, it is recognized that the vessel, tug design, and terminal configuration may change requiring a departure from the current tug assistance for docking and undocking guidelines.




Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<400’ Any S S
<500’ <30’ - S *Head out sailing
<600’ <30’ LM MM
<600’ ≥30’ LM MM
601’-750’ <30’ LM LM
601’-750’ ≥30’ LL LM
750’-900’ <30’ LL LM
750’-900’ ≥30’ TL TL/LL
750’-900’ ≥30’ TL TL/LL
>900’ <30’ TL TL/LL
>900’ ≥30’ ZT/TT TT/TL
>949’ any ZT/TT ZT/TT
>900’ (widebody) any ZZ/ZTT ZT/TT *no thruster substitute



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<400’ Any S S * no thruster substitute
<500’ <30’ SS SS
<500’ ≥30’ MS SS
<550’ <30’ - S *head out sailing-no thruster sub.
501’-650’ <30’ LS LS
501’-650’ ≥30’ LM LM
>650’ <30’ LM LM
>650’ ≥30’ LL LM
NOTICE: Thruster substitution exception for Barbours Cut/ Bayport Container Terminal: Container vessels with 35’ of draft or more, and more than 120’ beam must have two tugs. Containers vessels of 750’ LOA or more must have two tugs if turning.



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<500’ <30’ SS S * no thruster substitute
<500’ ≥30’ MS M * no thruster substitute
501’-650’ <30’ LM MS * no thruster substitute
501’-650’ ≥30’ LL LM * no thruster substitute
>650’ <30’ LL LM * no thruster substitute
>650’ ≥30’ LL LL * no thruster substitute



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<500’ <30’ SS SS * no thruster substitute
<500’ ≥30’ MM MS * no thruster substitute
501’-650’ <30’ LM MS * no thruster substitute
501’-650’ ≥30’ LL LM * no thruster substitute
>650’ <30’ LL LM * no thruster substitute
>650’ ≥30’ TLL LL * no thruster substitute
Widebody (Berth 6) <34’ TLL/LLL LL * no thruster substitute
Widebody (Berth 6) ≥34’ TLL/LLLM LL * no thruster substitute
Widebody (Berth 4 & 5) <34’ TLLM/LLLL LL * no thruster substitute
Widebody (Berth 4 & 5) ≥34’ TTLL/TLLL TL/LL * no thruster substitute



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<400’ Any S S
<500’ <30’ SS SS
<500’ ≥30’ SS SS
501’-650’ <30’ LS MS
501’-650’ ≥30’ LM LM
>650’ <30’ LL LM
>650’ ≥30’ LL LL



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<400’ Any S S * no thruster substitute
<500’ <30’ SS SS
<500’ ≥30’ MS SS
501’-650’ <30’ LS LS
501’-650’ ≥30’ LL LM
>650’ <30’ LL LL
>650’ ≥30’ LL LL
Widebody (VoPak #3) <34’ LL LL
Widebody (VoPak #3) ≥34’ TL/LLL LL



ITC

Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<400’ Any S S
<400’ (Berth 3) Any SS SS
<400’ (Berth 7 & 8) Any SS SS * boat men safety
<500’ <30’ SS SS
<500’ ≥30’ MS SS
<550’ (Berth 1 & 2) <30’ S *head out sailing
501’-650’ <30’ LS MS
501’-650’ ≥30’ LL LL
>650’ <30’ LL LL
>650’ ≥30’ TL LL
Widebody <34’ LL LL
Widebody ≥34’ TL/LLL LL



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<500’ <30’ SS SS
<500’ ≥30’ MS SS
501’-650’ <30’ LL LM
501’-650’ ≥30’ LL LL
>650’ <30’ LL LL
>650’ ≥30’ LL LL
Widebody (Dock 1 & 3) <34’ LL LL
Widebody (Dock 1 & 3) ≥34’ TL LL
Widebody (Dock 1 & 3) ≥40’ TT TL
Widebody (Dock 2) <34’ TLL/LLL LL
Widebody (Dock 2) ≥34’ TLL/LLL LL



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<400’ Any S S * no thruster substitute (Shell)
<500’ <30’ SS SS
<500’ ≥30’ MS SS
<550’ <30’ S * head out sailing
* no thruster substitute (Shell)
501’-650’ <30’ LM LM
501’-650’ ≥30’ LL LM
>650’ <30’ LL LM
>650’ ≥30’ LL LM
Widebody <34’ LL LL
Widebody ≥34’ LLL/TL LL
Widebody ≥40’ ZT/TT TT/TL
WWidebody (Crude Dock) <34’ LL LL * no thruster substitute (Shell)
Widebody (Crude Dock) ≥34’ LL LL * no thruster substitute (Shell)
Widebody (Crude Dock) ≥40’ ZT/TT TT/TL * no thruster substitute (Shell)



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<400’ Any S S * no thruster substitute
<500’ <30’ SS SS
<500’ ≥30’ LM MM
501’-650’ <30’ LL LM
501’-650’ ≥30’ TL LL *3 tugs for Inbesa > 30’ *no thruster substitute
>650’ <30’ LL LL
>650’ ≥30’ TL LL *3 tugs for Inbesa > 30’ *no thruster substitute



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<400’ Any S S
<500’ <30’ SS SS
<500’ ≥30’ SS SS
<550’ <30’ S * head out sailing
501’-650’ <30’ LM LS
501’-650’ ≥30’ LM LM
>650’ <30’ LL LM
>650’ ≥30’ LL LL
*Texas Term. Slip & Adams Term. Slip restricted to (S) compact tugs. Per tow company.



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<400’ Any S S * no thruster substitute(Dynegy)
<500’ <30’ SS SS
<500’ ≥30’ MM MS
<550’ <30’ S * head out sailing (Ex. Dynegy)
501’-650’ <30’ LS LS * no thruster substitute(Dynegy)
501’-650’ ≥30’ LL LL * no thruster substitute(Dynegy)
>650’ <30’ LL LM * no thruster substitute(Dynegy)
>650’ ≥30’ TL LL * no thruster substitute(Dynegy)



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<400’ Any S S
<500’ <30’ SS SS
<500’ ≥30’ MS SS
501’-650’ <30’ LS MS
501’-650’ ≥30’ LM MM
>650’ <30’ LM LM
>650’ ≥30’ LL LL
Any (Berths D, E, F) Any S S * mandatory thruster + tug
*Woodhouse Slip 3 & Sims Bayou restricted to (S) compact tugs. Per tow company.
*Woodhouse Slip 2 restricted to (S) compact tugs or (L) twin screw tugs depending on vessel size. Per tow company.



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<400’ Any S S
<500’ <30’ SS SS
<500’ ≥30’ MS SS
<550’ <30’ S * head out sailing
501’-650’ <30’ LS MS
501’-650’ ≥30’ LM MM
>650’ <30’ LM LM
>650’ ≥30’ TL LL



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<500’ <30’ LS SS
<500’ ≥30’ LM LS
>500’ <30’ L LS
>500’ ≥30’ LL LM



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<500’ Any LS LS
>500’ Any LL LL



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<500’ Any LS TL head up with thruster
<500’ Any TL LS *head up with thruster
<500’ Any LS TT *head up with thruster
<500’ Any TT LS *head up with thruster
≥500’ Any LL TL *head up with thruster
≥500’ Any TL LL *head up with thruster
≥500’ Any LL TT *head up with thruster
≥500’ Any TT LL *head up with thruster



Vessel size Draft Arrival Departure Notes
<400’ <20’ S S
<400’ ≥20’ M S
401’-600’ <20’ L M
401’-600’ ≥20’ L L
>600’ <20’ L L
>600’ ≥20’ L L
NOTICE: Matrix does not apply to oceangoing tug barge units going to the following docks: Exxon #1-6, Shell Crude, Targa #1 & #2, Westway Terminal #2, Intercontinental #7, Intercontinental #8.