SAAM, a leading multinational port and logistics company, has marked a significant achievement in maritime sustainability with the christening of the Trapananda, the first electric tugboat in Latin America. This event represents a monumental stride in the maritime sector’s energy transition and a tangible commitment to more sustainable operations across the region.
A New Era of Sustainable Port Operations
The Trapananda stands out for its zero direct CO2 emissions and its ability to significantly reduce underwater noise, actively protecting marine life and contributing to the environmental sustainability of the port sector. This initiative is a concrete step towards cleaner, more efficient, and environmentally friendly maritime operations.
SAAM CEO Macario Valdés emphasized the transformative nature of the project: “The arrival of the Trapananda marks a before and after for our industry. We are moving decidedly toward cleaner, more efficient and environmentally friendly operations. This project is a vision for the future: we are developing solutions that not only tow and assist ships, but also mobilizing a shift towards a truly sustainable logistics chain.”
Enap’s Chairwoman, Gloria Maldonado, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the successful public-private sector collaboration: “This new tugboat, the result of a fruitful partnership with SAAM, demonstrates that when the public and private sectors work together decisively, they can advance on complex challenges like decarbonization. This step is a concrete sign that we can accelerate the energy transition through collaboration and action.”
The Trapananda will operate in Puerto Chacabuco, in Chile’s Aysén Region, one of the southernmost terminals in the world, providing essential support for ship berthing and deberthing maneuvers. This unit joins two other electric tugboats SAAM already operates in Canada, demonstrating the company’s growing commitment to its electric fleet.
The vessel’s christening ceremony, held at the Empormontt Passenger Terminal, brought together local officials, executives from both SAAM and Enap, and representatives of the maritime port community, signifying a pivotal moment in the industry’s evolution towards a more sustainable future.
The Name “Trapananda”
The tugboat was christened Trapananda in homage to the ancient name of Chilean Patagonia. This name refers to a remote, untamed land of dense jungles that posed an unexplored and challenging territory for the first Spanish explorers. By choosing this name, SAAM seeks to honor the history, strength, and unique beauty of southern Chile, where the vessel will commence its operations.
Technical Specifications and Design Excellence
The Trapananda boasts impressive technical capabilities:
- Length: 25 meters
- Beam (width): 13 meters
- Bollard Pull Capacity: 70 tons, enabling it to assist large vessels even in challenging harbor conditions.
- Propulsion: Equipped with two, 2,100-kW electric azimuth thrusters, providing powerful and precise maneuverability.
- Battery System: Powered by a 3,616-kWh capacity lithium-ion battery, distributed in two compartments. These batteries are remotely monitored by the manufacturer from Norway and have an estimated life of 10 years.
The tug’s design, created by renowned naval architects Robert Allan Ltd. and built by the Sanmar shipyard in Turkey, is optimized to reduce hull resistance and maximize energy efficiency. The vessel underwent rigorous seaworthiness testing and will be operated by a highly specialized local SAAM team, which received dedicated training in Canada to master high-precision maneuvers.
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Source: SAAM Towage
