Applications / Barge Positioning
Portable propulsion for barges and pontoons.
Add detachable battery-electric propulsion and positioning capability to barges, pontoons and work platforms — without permanent hull conversion or a fixed thruster room.
Asset types
Which floating assets benefit most.
Towbot is particularly suited to assets that move infrequently, are repositioned by tugs, or require temporary propulsion for a specific project or season.
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Inland barges
Rivers and canals.
Inland barges and pontoons operating on rivers, canals and sheltered waterways where a detachable unit can provide manoeuvring and positioning support without permanent installation.
Manoeuvring · positioning · repositioning
Request assessment ↗02
Work platforms
Coastal and nearshore.
Work barges, crane barges and floating work platforms that require temporary propulsion capability without permanent engine-room modifications or drydocking.
Work barges · crane barges · floating platforms
Request assessment ↗03
Transhippers
Cargo operations.
Floating transhipment platforms that need precise positioning during cargo transfer operations, with the ability to reassign the unit between compatible assets.
Transhipment · cargo transfer · position holding
Request assessment ↗04
Pontoons
Temporary positioning.
Pontoons and non-propelled floating structures that require temporary manoeuvring capability for a defined project scope or seasonal operation.
Project scope · seasonal operation · temporary thrust
Request assessment ↗05
Floating terminals
Maintained position.
Floating terminals and transhipment hubs that need maintained position relative to a berth or vessel during cargo transfer in exposed or tidal locations.
Floating terminals · tidal exposure · cargo transfer
Request assessment ↗06
Fleet operators
One unit, multiple assets.
Barge fleet owners who want to add positioning capability across multiple assets at lower capital cost. One unit can be reassigned between compatible vessels.
Fleet economics · reassignable · lower capex
Request assessment ↗Key advantages
No permanent conversion required.
The unit can be reassigned between compatible assets, reducing the capital cost of adding propulsion to a fleet of non-propelled vessels.
Flexible deployment
Reassignable
A Towbot unit can be moved between compatible assets in the fleet — one unit can serve multiple barges at different times rather than requiring a permanent installation on each.
No drydock
Waterborne fit
The temporary hull attachment system is designed to be fitted and removed without drydocking, reducing downtime and the cost of the conversion process.
Battery-electric
Zero local emissions
Battery-electric operation at the point of use — no direct exhaust emissions from the Towbot unit during manoeuvring and positioning operations.
Start with your asset
Could Towbot position your barge or pontoon?
Share your asset type, dimensions, operating area and current positioning arrangement. We will assess the right Towbot configuration for your fleet.