Brusselle has gained worldwide recognition for its high-quality design and construction of heavy-duty towing winches. Our towing winches are supplied in various configurations, including anchor handling winches, sea towing winches, and harbor towing winches, with single or multiple drums, of the line or cascade type. Primarily customized and available in hydraulic or electric versions, our towing winches offer pulling forces up to 4.000 kN.

Tugboats play a crucial role in assisting ships or pontoons during maneuvering in ports or on the open sea. Our towing winches are designed to transmit power between the tugboat and the load while simultaneously controlling the distance between them.

The cables used for towing must meet specific stretch and breakage standards. Therefore, our towing winches are carefully designed so that the cable can break without causing permanent damage to the winch. To prevent accidents, it is vital that the cable between the tugboat and the load does not hang too loosely, as sudden tension fluctuations can cause cable breakage.

One of the most essential functions aboard a tugboat is the “Let go”, which is used in emergencies to quickly disconnect the load from the ship, ensuring safety.

The specific features of the winch are determined by the requirements of the ship. Our towing winches can be supplied with class certification, confirming that the capacity and speed meet the highest class requirements.

Harbor Tugs and Sea or Ocean Tugs

Different requirements apply when towing in harbors and at sea, each calling for specific towing winches for optimal performance.

In the harbor, towing requires a different type of winch than during ocean towing activities. Ocean towing involves larger distances between the tugboat and the load, necessitating a cable with minimal stretch. At sea, towing is often done with more tension on the line, allowing for greater forces and resulting in lower energy consumption.

For towing in harbors, cables with significant stretch are used to compensate for minor fluctuations. Additionally, a control system with brake force limitation, also known as constant tensioning, is often chosen to maintain even tension on the cable and ensure smooth towing operations.

The different requirements for towing in harbors and at sea underscore the need for customized solutions and advanced technologies in the world of towing winches, where Brusselle continues to play a leading role.

Anchor Handling Winches

Anchor handling winches, versatile for both handling anchors and salvage operations, are custom-made and delivered as turnkey solutions by Brusselle.

At Brusselle, close collaboration with the shipowner and shipyard is central to the design and construction of our winches. Every detail is carefully considered to meet the specific requirements of the vessel, prioritizing efficiency and reliability. Whether it’s quickly veering anchors to save operational time or precise winch control without vibration and noise, our anchor handling winches come with advanced features that make a difference.