Latin America’s first electric tugboat, set to operate in Chile through a partnership between Enap and SAAM Towage, is progressing with final sea trials and bollard pull testing near the shipyard in Tuzla Bay, Istanbul.
These tests ensure the vessel meets all technical specifications while assessing its static behaviour and system performance to guarantee safe operations.
Pablo Cáceres, SAAM Towage’s Sustainability and Development Manager, mentioned: “We are pleased and proud of the results obtained during the system commissioning and seaworthiness testing of our electric tug. So far, everything has been well implemented and performed beyond expectations, such as the bollard pull record, where the tug achieved 72 tons of pull. SAAM Towage already has two electric propulsion vessels operating in Canada, making this its third. These vessels will allow us to continue advancing on the path of offering increasingly sustainable services, reducing our CO2 emissions and demonstrating our commitment to innovation and sustainability.”
Built by Sanmar Shipyards in Türkiye and designed by Robert Allan Ltd, the tug is expected to arrive in Chile in the first half of 2025. It will be stationed in Puerto Chacabuco, in the Aysén Region, providing berthing and unberthing services.
In addition, measuring 25 meters in length and 13 meters in beam, the vessel delivers a maximum bollard pull exceeding 70 metric tons.
Enap’s Supply Chain corporate manager, Mauricio Naveas, commented, “We continue to monitor how this project, which is so important for the country’s energy and maritime transportation industry, is approaching reality. At Enap, we seek to be more sustainable and we challenge ourselves to address the energy transition since it represents a substantial step for Chile. This first electric tugboat for our territory and all of Latin America is one of the leading initiatives in this context.”
