McAllister Towing Celebrates 160 Years While Focusing on the Future
The maritime community recently gathered to celebrate a significant milestone: the 160th anniversary of McAllister Towing. This company has played a vital role in ship docking, towing, and maritime transport since its inception. Founded by an Irish immigrant who began with a sail lighter moving cargo between Brooklyn and Manhattan, McAllister Towing has expanded its operations to 13 locations along the U.S. East Coast, from Maine to Florida, as well as in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This anniversary not only marks a long history of service but also highlights the company’s evolution and commitment to innovation in the maritime industry.
A Legacy of Family and Innovation
McAllister Towing stands out as one of the oldest marine towing and transportation companies in the United States. It is one of the few family-owned businesses that have thrived since the 1860s. Today, the company is led by B. Buckley McAllister, the great-great-grandson of founder Captain James McAllister. The company remains a family affair, with three additional fifth-generation McAllister family members actively involved in its operations.
During the anniversary gala, Captain A.J. McAllister III, Senior Vice President of Sales, emphasized the importance of passion in the business. He stated, “The passion for the business is the glue that holds the company together.” Over the years, McAllister Towing has experienced remarkable growth. The company has doubled its workforce and now operates over 60 tugboats, crew boats, and barges. While it continues to excel in traditional docking and towing services, it has also expanded into LNG services and support for the offshore wind farm industry. Its ferry subsidiary, the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company, has seen passenger and vehicle transport volumes soar from 35,000 cars to half a million annually.
Commitment to Safety and Modernization
The maritime sector has undergone significant consolidation, yet McAllister Towing has maintained its reputation as a “blue chip” company. Gary Field, Head of Underwriting for the P&I Club Steamship Mutual, noted that the company remains focused on its people and its mission of safety and reliability. Throughout its long history, McAllister has achieved numerous milestones. It was one of the first to introduce deep-sea tug-barge combinations and the first to deploy a diesel-powered tug in New York Harbor in 1927.
In recent years, McAllister has modernized its fleet, incorporating advanced technologies and equipment. The introduction of the new tug, Grace McAllister, set to launch in early 2024, exemplifies this commitment. With over 6,700 horsepower and more than 85 tons of bollard pull, it will be one of the most powerful tugs operating in the Port of New York-New Jersey. The company has also pioneered the use of Tier IV engines, which have saved 20,000 gallons of oil since 2016. McAllister Towing is dedicated to achieving net-zero emissions, ensuring that its operations are sustainable for future generations.
The anniversary celebration was not just a reflection on the past but also a look toward the future. Buckley McAllister emphasized the importance of customer service and reliability in an ever-evolving shipping landscape. The company recently took delivery of a new passenger-auto ferry, the Long Island, which features state-of-the-art technology and increased capacity. With plans for additional tractor tugs on order, McAllister Towing is poised to continue its legacy of excellence in the maritime industry for years to come.
