The launching of the first electric tugboat intended to operate in Latin America was celebrated at the Sanmar shipyard in Turkey. This advance in the energy transition is a fundamental step for the maritime industry, since the tugboat, with electric propulsion , does not produce carbon emissions and contributes to the reduction of environmental and underwater noise.
The tugboat was designed by Robert Allan Ltd. and built at the Sanmar shipyard. Its arrival in Chile is scheduled for the first half of 2025 , when it will begin operating in Puerto Chacabuco, located in the Aysén region, to provide docking and undocking services for vessels.
New electric tugboat will reduce emissions in Chile
The collaboration between the National Petroleum Company (ENAP) and SAAM , which signed an agreement in January of this year, is resulting in the incorporation of a technology that reinforces the commitment of both companies to a more sustainable future. The vessel is 25 meters long and 13 meters wide , with a pulling capacity of more than 70 tons.
According to Mauricio Naveas, ENAP’s Corporate Supply Chain Manager, this project covers the operational needs of Puerto Chacabuco and also promotes the reduction of carbon emissions , following the trend towards greener logistics. For his part, Pablo Cáceres, SAAM’s Sustainability and Development Manager, highlighted that this tugboat is the third electric vessel in its fleet , which represents a decisive step towards achieving increasingly sustainable maritime operations.
The tug is currently undergoing sea trials in Tuzla Bay and is preparing for its transfer to Chile. This achievement highlights the importance of integrating new technologies in the maritime sector and reinforcing the commitment to sustainability.
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Source and photo: Enap