Posted on May 30, 2025
Latin America’s first electric tugboat has already begun its voyage from Tuzla (Turkey) to Puerto Montt (Chile), a journey that will last around 45 days. From there, the vessel will sail to Puerto Chacabuco (Aysén Region) to begin a dry run period.
“Our electric tug is getting closer every day. This is the third such unit in our fleet and the first for Latin America. It is particularly symbolic because it is a step forward in our strategy for the future: we want to grow in partnership with our customers with increasingly sustainable operations,” remarked SAAM Towage’s Sustainability and Development Manager, Pablo Cáceres.
Enap’s Corporate Supply Chain Manager, Mauricio Naveas, highlighted how the vessel fits into the state-owned company’s development strategy: “This tugboat is one of the paths we are following to help protect the environment and decarbonize the country, in addition to incorporating LNG trucks, producing our first batch of diesel from used cooking oil and developing infrastructure for green hydrogen in Magallanes. Enap has been the energy that moves Chile for 80 years. This tug, which will support our operations in Puerto Chacabuco, reflects our vision of the future and how we are taking on the challenges of the energy transition.”
After successfully completing its last sea trials, the tug embarked on the vessel BBC Olympus, specially designed to transport, as it is equipped with two high-capacity cranes.
The tug will provide berthing and unberthing services. Measuring 25 meters long and 13 meters wide (beam), it boasts maximum bollard pull of over 70 metric tons. Thanks to its lithium-ion batteries, it is 100% electric and zero-emission, as it will be powered by renewable energy.
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About SAAM
SAAM is an infrastructure company with more than 60 years in business. It is the leading provider of port towage services in the Americas and third globally. It operates at more than 100 ports in 13 countries with a modern fleet of over 200 tugs. In addition, it offers air cargo logistics services at eight airports in Latin America.
About Enap
Empresa Nacional del Petróleo (Enap) is a public company owned by the state of Chile engaged primarily in exploration, production, refining and commercialization of hydrocarbons and their derivatives. It explores and produces hydrocarbons through its subsidiary Enap Sipetrol S.A., and engages in the refining, transportation, storage and marketing of petroleum products through Enap Refinerías S.A.
