Yangtze Phoenix, the listed arm of Sinotrans Yangtze National Shipping Corp, the largest shipping line operating on the Yangtze, has announced the withdrawal of its fleet of 106 tugs of 2,000dwt with immediate effect.

Although the average age of the tugs was 27 years, well below the threshold of compulsory withdrawal, the company said that barges and tugs on the Yangtze have had their day and have now been replaced by self-propelled, modern and specialised vessels.