Tug Malta Limited commenced towage operations within the Harbours and Territorial Waters of the Maltese Islands in October 1980. Its first three tugboats were acquired from Midmed Towage Company Ltd. and Mediterranean Salvage and Towage Agencies Ltd., both of which became private shareholders in Tug Malta at the time, together with Mid-Med Bank Ltd and Sea Malta Company Limited. A fourth tugboat was purchased from Government, who, through Malta Government Investments Ltd., was the majority shareholder. All the first four tugs in service have since been sold.

On the 18th July 2007 Malta Government Investements Limited, as Agent for the Government of Malta, sold all their shares in the company to Rimorchiatori (Malta) Limited, a company owned by Rimorchiatori Riuniti SpA of Genova, Italy.

Today's fleet is made up of six tugs, all acquired since 1980. Newly built in Holland in 1981, FELICA is a 32-Tonne Bollard-Pull twin-screw conventional tug. The 35-tonne Bollard-Pull LIENI was purchased from its Singapore builders in 1991. A stern-drive tug with twin-screw omni-directional propulsion, she is fitted with fire-fighting equipment and with an oil-dispersant system.

In 1996, another twin-screw omni-directional stern-drive tug of 47-tonne Bollard-Pull was purchased in Japan. This tug, MARI, has been permanently stationed at Marsaxlokk to handle the giant Container vessels at Malta Freeport. In 2000, the company chartered a brand new twin-screw omni-directional tractor tug, the SEA SALVOR, of 55-tonne Bollard-Pull, from the Civil Protection Department, together with its sophisticated anti-pollution and fire-fighting equipment, in order to keep up with the ever-increasing size and frequency of ship movements at the Marsaxlokk Freeport.

In 2005, the Company ordered another two new 68 - tonne Bollard Pull ASD tugs from DAMEN shipyards in Holland. The first Tug PAWLINA was delivered in March 2006, whilst the second Tug WENZINA was delivered in August 2006.

Two of the three tugs based at Marsaxlokk are manned round the clock, whilst one of the three tugs based in Grand Harbour is also manned throughout the day and night, mainly in case of an emergency.

All crewmembers have received training and upgrading in conformity with the Malta Commercial Vessels Regulations of 2002. The Company is especially concerned with their health and safety, both afloat and ashore. Tug Malta will continue to develop its human resources to help every employee excel at his work.

The Malta Maritime Authority officially regulates harbour towage rates. The Company gives rebates to frequent users depending on the percentage of Tugs used when compared to Tug norms.

A member of the European Tug Owner's Association and the International Salvage Union, Tug Malta achieved ISO 9002 certification in January 1999, and upgraded to the new ISO 9001:2000 standard in February 2002.