Crossword Genius

A helpful shipping line? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

towrope

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a helpful shipping line?' is the definition.
'towrope' can be an answer for 'line?' (towrope is a kind of line). I am unsure of the 'a helpful shipping' bit.

'shipping line?' is the wordplay.
'shipping' becomes 'tow' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'line?' becomes 'rope' (line can mean a piece of rope).
'tow'+'rope'='TOWROPE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for towrope that I've seen before include "AA might assist with this" , "Cable for hauling vehicle or vessel" , "Cable used after breakdowns" , "What may pull broken-down vehicle" , "Pulling cable" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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