Tow job pricing tool for tug operators
Build the quote from your own numbers
A tow quote should start with the operator’s actual economics: tug cost, barge cost, fuel burn, crew, duration, mobilization, port charges, overhead, contingency, and required margin. This calculator turns those inputs into a working job cost and target customer quote.
Pricing caution
Margin is calculated on the final quote, not as a simple markup on cost. A 20% margin means the job cost is 80% of the quote. That is different from adding 20% to cost.
Pricing Snapshot
High
Fuel burn and duration can move the quote faster than most small line items.
Medium
Crew and barge costs depend on day count, watch schedule, and job type.
Watch
Mobilization, delays, port fees, cancellations, and standby can make or break margin.
Low
The calculator does not guess rates. It uses the operator’s own assumptions.
Research notes
Public towage and port tariffs often price services through hourly rates, minimums, surcharges, delay rules, cancellation rules, pilotage, channel fees, and special-risk charges. Fuel price inputs should be updated frequently because diesel can move sharply. U.S. towing vessel rules also make crew, documentation, manning, and compliance part of the real operating cost.
Sources: Sause Bros. Honolulu tug rates, Panama Canal maritime tariff, Port of Bilbao towage tariff, EIA diesel update, 46 CFR Subchapter M.
Sources: Sause Bros. Honolulu tug rates, Panama Canal maritime tariff, Port of Bilbao towage tariff, EIA diesel update, 46 CFR Subchapter M.
The quote formula
Job Cost = Tug + Barge + Fuel + Crew + Mobilization + Port Charges + Maintenance Reserve + Overhead + Contingency
Target Quote = Job Cost ÷ (1 - Required Margin)
The calculator below uses a rounded target quote so the number looks like a customer-ready price instead of a spreadsheet artifact.
| Input | Used for | Quote effect | Common miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | Cost per nautical mile and route comparison. | Helps explain the quote, especially on repositioning or line-haul tows. | Pricing only the loaded tow and forgetting return exposure. |
| Duration | Tug hours, fuel burn, crew days, barge days, and standby exposure. | Usually the strongest driver after fuel and tug rate. | Ignoring weather, locks, currents, berth delays, or pilot windows. |
| Fuel | Total gallons multiplied by price per gallon. | Can change quickly when fuel markets move. | Using yesterday’s cheap fuel number on tomorrow’s job. |
| Crew | Daily crew cost multiplied by job days. | Captures payroll, benefits, relief, travel, lodging, and overtime assumptions. | Counting only base wages and missing burden. |
| Port charges | Port, pilot, line, security, canal, dockage, launch, or local fees. | Protects the quote from third-party pass-through surprises. | Quoting the tow before checking local tariff details. |
Tug job quote calculator
Enter the operator’s actual assumptions. The output shows job cost, target quote, estimated margin, fuel gallons, cost per nautical mile, quote per hour, and cost breakdown.
Used for cost-per-mile and quote-per-mile context.
Include tow time, assist time, standby, delays, and return exposure if billed internally.
Use 2 or more for multi-tug moves or escort work.
Use your internal cost, charter cost, or minimum acceptable tug-hour recovery.
Set to 0 for ship assist or tow-only work without a barge day cost.
Include ownership, charter, rental, maintenance, or opportunity cost.
Use the expected average burn for this job, not the best-case number.
Update before quoting. Add delivery or markup here if that is how you price fuel.
Include wages, payroll burden, relief, travel, lodging, and benefits if applicable.
Repositioning, launch, setup, demob, permits, or special gear.
Use a fixed allowance or the actual tariff pass-through estimate.
Applied to tug cost plus fuel cost.
Applied to direct job cost before contingency.
Use for weather, delay, uncertainty, equipment risk, or customer schedule risk.
Margin is profit divided by quote, not markup on cost.
Rounding up prevents the quote from looking like raw spreadsheet output.
Job cost
$38,450
Total estimated internal cost before profit.
Target quote
$47,900
Customer-facing quote after required margin and rounding.
Estimated margin
19.7%
Profit divided by final quote.
Estimated profit
$9,450
Fuel gallons
1,980
Cost per NM
$214
Quote per hour
$1,331
Cost breakdown
Quote protection note
The calculator gives a pricing estimate, not contract language. Operators should still handle exclusions, weather delays, standby, cancellation windows, fuel adjustment, port charges, hazardous cargo, insurance limits, and customer-caused delay in the written quote.
Quote packet checklist
State the job scope
Vessel, barge, tow, distance, start point, end point, estimated duration, and included assist time.
Separate pass-throughs
Port, pilot, canal, line, launch, security, customs, escort, and third-party charges should be named clearly.
Protect fuel risk
Include a fuel price assumption, fuel surcharge trigger, or fuel adjustment language.
Cover delay rules
Waiting time, berth delays, weather standby, cancellation, dead tow, schedule changes, and off-route work need pricing language.
Confirm insurance and limits
Towage terms, tower’s liability, P&I, customer indemnity, and cargo exposure should match the quote.
