Port Partner Spotlight: Moran and McAllister Towing keep vessels moving at JAXPORT
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By Marcia Pledger
More than 90 percent of the world’s trade moves by sea, and tugboats are a critical part of keeping that global system running smoothly. At ports around the world, tugboats provide the expertise, coordination and power needed to help large vessels navigate tight channels, dock safely and operate efficiently in all kinds of conditions.
From guiding ships through challenging weather to supporting specialized missions such as firefighting assistance or vessel recovery, tugboat operators bring skill and precision to every job. Their work often happens behind the scenes, but it is foundational to daily port activity.
Like many sectors of the maritime industry, tugboat companies face workforce challenges nationwide. Industry leaders say increased awareness, training and education programs can help introduce more people to rewarding careers on the water.
To highlight the importance of these partnerships, we spoke with two longtime JAXPORT service providers: McAllister Towing and Moran.
For Sean Hammock, vice president and general manager for McAllister Towing in Jacksonville, the tugboat industry has been a lifelong career.
Hammock has spent more than 32 years working in tug operations and now leads a team of 35 McAllister employees locally. He was first introduced to the industry through a family connection and says that early exposure helped shape his career path.
McAllister Towing is one of the oldest family-owned tugboat company in the United States, with more than 160 years of maritime history. Headquartered in New York, the company operates more than 60 tugboats, crew boats and barges across 13 locations, including Jacksonville, with operations spanning from Maine to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“Tugboats play a key role in helping ports move cargo safely and efficiently,” Hammock said. “Our job is to make sure vessels can get where they need to go, when they need to be there.”
Hammock says JAXPORT’s recent infrastructure investments have supported continued growth for both the port and its service providers.
“With the deepening of the port over the last few years, we’ve been able to assist larger vessels,” he said. “That benefits the port, our customers and our operations.”
Now led by a fifth-generation family member, McAllister continues to expand its services, including LNG bunkering operations. In Jacksonville, the company also serves as technical manager for LNG fueling, supplying a variety of vessels, including cruise ships and vehicle carriers.
Hammock believes greater awareness of maritime careers could help address workforce needs industrywide. “There are a lot of opportunities in this field,” he said. “Sharing those stories can make a real difference.”
Moran Towing
Jonathan Archer, regional vice president of operations in the Southeast for Moran, says he always knew he wanted a career in the maritime industry.
Moran is a 165-year-old family-owned company that provides ship assist, LNG services, and specialty towing at 17 ports nationwide, including Jacksonville. The company also transports petroleum and dry bulk products and offers contract towing services. In addition to its Maritime services, Moran also offers emergency response services, environmental and industrial remediation, water treatment and recovery, line handling and chandlery, and commercial diving and marine construction.
Across its maritime operations, Moran owns and operates 100 tugboats and 15 ocean going barges, with each location supported by local management, and engineering teams. The company operates around the clock, 365 days a year.
In Jacksonville, about 40 employees operate three tugboats. Moran also recently opened a corporate office a short drive from its port operations with an additional 35 employees. Crews typically work one week on the vessel followed by one week off, supporting a schedule that accommodates the port’s 24-hour operations.
“It’s a dynamic environment,” Archer said. “Some days start early in the morning, others later in the afternoon, but the goal is always the same—supporting safe and efficient port operations.”
Archer also highlighted the cooperative nature of the tugboat industry in Jacksonville. “Our customers’ needs always come first,” he said. “If our tugs are committed and another job comes up, we’ll call McAllister, and they do the same for us. That collaboration helps keep things moving.”
Ultimately, Archer says success is shared across the port community.
“Our goal is to support the overall success of the Jacksonville port,” he said. “When the port succeeds, everyone benefits.”
