ABSTRACT
Sea towage is a service by one vessel to another for a fixed remuneration, which is distinguished from marine transportation and salvage. In China, towing is often divided into different types according to different standards and each classification has its own implications. In order to perform the towing operation, the tugowner and the tow party usually sign a towage contract. The Maritime Code of the People's Republic of China (the Maritime Code) further provides some important clauses of the towage contract and stipulates that the contract of sea towage shall be made in writing. According to the location of the tug and the tow, the types of towing encompass towing astern, towing at side and pushing tow. According to the area of the towing operation, the types of towage include towing within a port area, towing between river and sea, towing between coastal ports and international towing.
