Latin America’s first electric tug has been launched at the Sanmar shipyard in Tuzla Bay, Istanbul. The vessel is set to arrive in Chile under a service agreement signed in January between Empresa Nacional del Petróleo (Enap) and SAAM.
This milestone highlights the commitment of both companies to the energy transition, as the tug’s electric propulsion system eliminates greenhouse gas emissions and minimizes environmental and underwater noise.
Following its launch, the vessel will undergo sea trials to evaluate its static stability and operational performance.
Enap’s Corporate Supply Chain Manager, Mauricio Naveas said “this project is relevant for our company not only because it will allow us to meet the service needs of Puerto Chacabuco, but also because it is a step forward in reducing both carbon emissions and environmental and underwater noise in our logistics chain, an effort that is in line with having increasingly sustainable processes.”
The electric tug is expected to reach Chile in the first half of 2025. Designed by Robert Allan and constructed at the Sanmar shipyard in Turkey, it will operate in Puerto Chacabuco in the Aysén Region, assisting with berthing and unberthing operations. The tug measures 25 meters in length and 13 meters in beam, with a maximum bollard pull exceeding 70 metric tons.
SAAM Towage’s Sustainability and Development Manager, Pablo Cáceres, commented, “This is a key milestone to ensure that the tug operates to the highest safety standards in the subsequent phases of its development. This vessel is the third in our electric fleet, which marks a decisive step into the future with increasingly sustainable operations. At Chacabuco, we will be reducing CO2 emissions by 100% compared to current operations.”
