SAAM Towage and Caterpillar Marine have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore and adopt alternative power solutions beyond diesel, such as electrification and alternative fuels like methanol and ethanol, across their tugboat fleet.
The collaboration includes advancements on a dual-fuel engine—the Cat® 3500E—which will utilize methanol and is slated for testing later this year.
Pablo Cáceres, SAAM Towage’s Sustainability and Development Manager, remarked that this partnership serves as a crucial instrument in tackling the challenges posed by climate change and the global maritime industry’s decarbonization initiatives.
He further noted that embracing alternative energy sources that diminish GHG emissions, such as electrification and lower-carbon fuels, places us at the vanguard of maritime innovation.
Brad Johnson, Vice President and General Manager of Caterpillar Marine, stated that there is a dedication to assisting SAAM Towage in cutting fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions while boosting the operational efficiency of its fleet.
SAAM Towage has already integrated two electric tugs with CAT engines in British Columbia, Canada, and is gearing up to introduce a third electric tug for its Chilean operations.
