Since the early 1970s, we have been supporting the marine sector with harbour towage, coastal towage, and workboat services that deliver real value to our clients worldwide. Over decades, we’ve built a reputation founded on quality, reliability, and the integrity of our people – principles that continue to guide us today.
Founded by Captains Ian Metcalfe and Mick Carrier, we are a proud third-generation family business. From our roots in the UK, we have grown to serve clients across international waters, providing trusted support to ports, the construction and civil engineering sectors, the offshore power industry, and more. With decades of experience and a dedicated team, we remain committed to delivering safe, dependable, and cost-effective solutions – wherever our clients need us.
From humble beginnings, the past fifty years have seen substantial growth, our team and our capabilities growing exponentially.
From being appointed sole towage contractor for the Manchester Ship Canal in 1989 to, more recently, becoming partner of choice for the offshore power industry, the Carmet of today is almost unrecognisable to that of fifty years ago.
None of this would've been possible, however, without the skill and dedication of our team - a fantastic group of people who I'm proud to call my colleagues.
Sole towage contractor to the Manchester Ship Canal, we support a huge variety of clients within the marine sector and beyond. Learn more about our range of towage, workboat and replenishment services.
An ambitious firm, our success is down to our team, an exceptional group who make Carmet the business you see today. Say hello to our leadership and management, just a handful of those who’ve made our growth possible.
Meet our team
A strong, family business, for half a century we've been bound by the same set of values... eight simple words that guide our actions and define who we are as a team.
Over the years we've supported some of the biggest names in shipping, construction and marine civil engineering, more recently becoming a go-to supplier for the UK's offshore power industry.
A family owned business established in 1971, the company has over 50 years' experience providing towage and workboat services around the North West.
Sole towage contractor for the Manchester Ship Canal, we operate a system that ensures two tugs are always available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Response time is of great importance to us as a company, as well as to our clients. We do whatever it takes to meet or even beat our clients' deadlines.
A truly honest and ethical business built upon a foundation of family values, we believe doing the right thing is more important than our bottom line.
Highly respected in the marine sector, we're trusted by some of the world's largest and most recognisable organisations, working across a range of industries.