Forth Tugs Ltd , tug operators, was originally incorporated as the Grangemouth & Forth Towing Co Ltd at Grangemouth, Falkirk, Scotland, in 1895 . This company was an amalgamation of the Grangemouth Towing Co and the Forth Towing Co , the latter having been established in 1836 . The new company undertook towage in the river Forth at Grangemouth to Bo'ness, Falkirk, situated down river from Grangemouth, and also at Berwick, Northumberland, England. From 1972 , the company undertook the construction of four tugs to operate on a contractual basis at Hound Point Oil Terminal, Edinburgh, on the Forth estuary to assist in the export of North Sea crude oil. The company also built two water tractors to operate in Grangemouth Dock. In 1972 , Clyde Shipping Co Ltd , shipowners, Glasgow, Scotland, and Cory Ship Towage Ltd, shipowners, purchased the company. Each retained 50 per cent of shares thereby making Forth Tugs Ltd an associate of both, but a subsidiary of neither. The name Forth Tugs Ltd first appeared in 1977 but prior to that date the company had always been known locally as Forth Towing Co . In 2002, the company continued to trade.
From the guide to the Records of Forth Tugs Ltd, tug operators, Grangemouth, Falkirk, Scotland, 1861-1984, (Glasgow University Archive Services)