The vessel is undergoing various port and sea trials in Tuzla Bay, Istanbul (Turkey).
Latin America’s first electric tugboat, which will operate in Chile thanks to an agreement between Enap and SAAM Towage, continues to advance through its final sea and bollard pull tests near the shipyard in Tuzla Bay, Istanbul.
These trials ensure compliance with technical specifications and allow for the inspection of both its static behavior and the performance of various installed systems, guaranteeing safe operations.
“We are very pleased and proud of the results achieved during the system commissioning and sea acceptance trials of our electric tugboat. So far, we have seen robust implementation processes and performance that has exceeded expectations, such as its bollard pull test, where the tug reached 72 tons of towing force. This is SAAM Towage’s third electrically powered vessel, following two already in operation in Canada. It marks another step forward in our commitment to offering increasingly sustainable services, reducing our CO₂ emissions, and reinforcing our dedication to innovation and sustainability,” said Pablo Cáceres, SAAM Towage’s Sustainability and Development Manager.
Meanwhile, Enap’s Corporate Supply Chain Manager, Mauricio Naveas, emphasized, “We continue to monitor how this groundbreaking project for the country’s energy and maritime transport industries is becoming a reality. At Enap, we are committed to sustainability and embracing the challenges of the energy transition. This electric tugboat, the first for Chile and all Latin America, is a flagship initiative in this context.”
The tugboat, which will operate for Enap, is expected to arrive in Chile in the first half of 2025. Designed by Robert Allan Ltd and built at Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey, the vessel will operate in Puerto Chacabuco (Aysén Region), providing berthing and unberthing services. It measures 25 meters in length and 13 meters in beam, with a bollard pull capacity of over 70 tons.