Latin America’s first electric tug begins 45-day voyage to Chile from Turkey

SAAM Towage recently said Latin America’s first electric tugboat has begun its voyage from Tuzla, Turkey, to Puerto Montt, Chile, a journey that will last around 45 days. 

After approximately 35 days at sea aboard the BBC Olympus vessel, it will continue on to Puerto Chacabuco, where it will begin trial operations supporting ENAP’s activities.

TRAPANANDA will be the third fully electric tug that Turkish tug and workboat builder SANMAR has delivered to SAAM Towage. Due to its lithium-ion batteries, it is 100% electric and zero-emission, as it will be powered by renewable energy.

“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,” said SAAM Towage’s Sustainability and Development Manager, Pablo Cáceres.

Empresa Nacional del Petróleo’s (Enap) 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,” Naveas said. 

“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.”

Photo credit: SANMAR
Published: 4 June, 2025