SAAM Towage Expands Fleet with Two Eco-Friendly Tugboats for Chile and Peru
Chile-headquartered towage services provider SAAM Towage is adding two new environmentally friendly tugboats to its fleet, expanding operations in both Chile and Peru.
The vessels — the SAAM Petrel and SAAM Charrán — measure 24.4 meters in length and 12 meters in width. Designed by Robert Allan Ltd. of Canada and built by Sanmar Shipyard in Türkiye, both tugs feature a bollard pull of 80 metric tons and a maximum speed of 13 knots, powered by 2,350 kW Caterpillar engines.
SAAM Petrel: First in Chile with IMO Tier III Compliance
The SAAM Petrel, built in 2024, is en route to the Port of Arica in Chile. The Panama-flagged vessel meets the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Tier III nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission standards, making it the first tug in Chile to feature this advanced environmental compliance.
SAAM Charrán to Operate in Peru
Constructed in 2023, the SAAM Charrán has already docked at the Port of Callao in Peru, where it will be based for operations.
Part of SAAM Towage’s Regional Growth and Sustainability Strategy
According to Chile–Peru Country Manager Cristián Cifuentes, the acquisition of these tugboats is an important step in SAAM Towage’s investment plan, aimed at enhancing operational capacity and strengthening presence in Latin America.
The additions also align with the company’s 2030 Sustainability Strategy, announced in December 2024. This plan includes:
- Operating a fleet with fully sustainable propulsion systems
- Reducing and offsetting 65% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 (baseline year: 2021)
- Achieving certification under quality and environmental management standards
Building on Recent Milestones
Earlier in December 2024, SAAM Towage and Chile’s state-owned Empresa Nacional del Petróleo (Enap) launched Latin America’s first electric tug — the 25-meter-long Trapananda, also built by Sanmar Shipyards. After sea trials and bollard pull tests, the vessel arrived in Chile in mid-July 2025 for its official christening.
